Jason Robinson made a try-scoring return to the Premiership, but Sale let slip a 13-point lead against Harlequins at The Stoop.

Sale full-back Robinson, on England duty for the past three weekends, struck in the 16th minute to leave Quins in deep trouble.

Robinson's try came from Sale's first attack, fly-half Charlie Hodgson and prop Kevin Yates linking well before the fall-back swivelled over.

Hodgson's conversion, combined with penalty strikes either side of that try meant that Sale were 13-0 up inside the opening quarter.

Victory over Quins, who they meet again in the National Cup on December 15, would lift Sale into second spot.

Quins though, buoyed a return of England men Will Greenwood, Dan Luger and Jason Leonard, fought back superbly.

Greenwood, captaining Quins for the first time, proved a threat to the Sale defence, and on 26 minutes, the home side reduced their arrears when Leonard crashed over for a rare try following concerted pressure.

Fly-half Paul Burke converted, and then kicked two penalties during the closing 10 minutes of a frantic half, tying the scores up at 13-13.

HT Harlequins 13 Sale 13

Hodgson put Sale back in front when he booted a 44 minute penalty as the visitors looked to regain their early first half control.

Hodgson's opposite number Burke missed an opportunity to tie the game once more when he was wide of the target with a 51st minute penalty attempt, but proceedings remained very much in the balance.

Both sides then suffered injury blows, Quins' Tony Diprose going off to be replaced by Pat Sanderson, and then Sales centre Dan Harris departing with a shoulder problem that saw him replaced by Mel Deane.

On 57 minutes, Sale conjured up a vital score following sustained forward pressure inspired by their Australian skipper Stu Pinkerton.

Harlequins eventually ran out of defensive numbers, and Sale wing Steve Hanley crossed for his seventh League try of the season, converted by Hodgson.

Hodgson then failed with a long-range penalty attempt, and Burke was unlucky not to score after charging down a Sale kick, but with the match into its final quarter, Sale held a 23-13 lead.

Burke brought Quins back to within striking distance with a 67th-minute penalty, but that was the cue for Sale's forwards to underline their dominance.

They exerted a territorial foothold - and, although Quins made frantic attempts to break out and rescue the game, Sale prevailed 23-16 to go second in the Premiership behind Leicester.

Teams:

Harlequins: J. Williams, Moore, Greenwood, Burrows, Luger, Burke, Bemand, Leonard, Tiatia, Olver, Codling, Davison, Winters, Tamarua, Diprose.

Replacements: Fuga for Tiatia (58), Starr for Olver (59), Sanderson for Diprose (54).

Not Used: Alesbrook, M. Powell, Mapletoft, Bell.

Tries: Leonard.

Cons: Burke.

Pens: Burke 3.

Sale: Robinson, Cueto, Baxendell, Harris, Hanley, Hodgson, Dickens, Yates, C. Marais, Turner, Fullarton, Lines, Perelini, Pinkerton, Anglesea.

Replacements: Deane for Harris (54), Jackman for C. Marais (59), Black for Turner (73), Wilks for Perelini (73).

Not Used: Bramhall, Going, Davies.

Tries: Robinson, Hanley.

Cons: Hodgson 2.

Pens: Hodgson 3.

Att: 5,841

Ref: Roy Maybank (RFU).