England full-back Jason Robinson touched down for two superb second-half tries as Sale slashed Gloucester's lead at the top of the Zurich Premiership to two points.

The former Great Britain rugby league star had shaken off the knee injury he picked up on RBS 6 Nations duty with England in time to take his place in the Sharks' line-up and he turned in a man-of the-match performance to sink the outgunned Tykes.

Sale were held 13-13 in an entertaining first half but they upped the tempo after the break to clinch a maximum five-point haul and maintain their 100 per cent record over Leeds.

Andy Titterrell and Steve Hanley crossed in the first half while centre Dan Harris, who enjoyed a fine afternoon with some strong running in the midfield, added a third in the 53rd minute.

Then a mixture of fabulous ball skills and searing pace saw Robinson step up to put the game beyond doubt.

In reply, the Tykes managed tries through Isaac Fea'unati and Cameron Mather while substitute Winston Stanley crossed in the dying moments to add some respectability to the score.

Second row Chris Jones was prominent as the Sharks launched their first attacks of the match and the home side looked to be in at the corner but Graeme Bond was unable to offload the ball to an unmarked Robinson.

Referee Dave Pearson had spotted an infringement though and fly-half Jos Baxendell, handed the number 10 shirt and the kicking duties in the absence of the injured Charlie Hodgson, landed an easy three points.

Jones' performances this season have earned him an England A call-up and the athletic lock gave further indication of the talent which has caught selectors' eyes by helping to set up Sale's first try.

He pounced on a loose ball and charged forward before recycling quickly, allowing possession to be spun out to the wing where an overstretched Tykes' rearguard opened up for hooker Titterrell to cross in the corner.

Braam van Straaten reduced the deficit with a 16th minute penalty but missed a second moments later as Leeds began to see more of the ball, although they failed to failed to make the most of a five metre scrum.

They could not be denied in the 28th minute however as Scotland international Gordon Ross jinked in and out before moving the ball wide where number eight Fea'unati was waiting for a simple run-in.

But the Sharks hit back through the prolific Hanley who capitalised on some excellent work from former Wallaby Bond to touch down in the left corner.

The first-half scoring was not yet complete as Leeds' forwards rounded off a powerful drive with a pushover try through Mather, giving his side a share of the half-time spoils.

Sale restored their lead moments after the restart courtesy of a piece of individual brilliance from Robinson.

Sprinting at the Leeds defence he found his path obstructed by Dan Scarborough and chose to put in a neat chip kick which the backpeddling Tykes centre failed to control, allowing Robinson to collapse on the ball.

Harris stretched the Sharks' advantage in the 53rd minute when he romped through a packed Leeds defence and Baxendell added the conversion.

Robinson then showcased his blistering pace as he scythed through the Leeds ranks to leave his pursuers for dead, touching down for a try which Baxendell improved.

Stanley ran-in a late consolation for Leeds, which van Straaten converted, but the Sharks already had the match won.

Teams:

Sale: Robinson, Cueto, Harris, Bond, Hanley, Baxendell, Redpath, Yates, Titterell, Stewart, C. Jones, Schofield, A. Sanderson, Pinkerton, Anglesea.

Not Used: Marais, Thorp, Turner, Fullarton, Davies, Going, Walshe.

Tries: Titterell, Hanley, Robinson 2, Harris.

Cons: Baxendell 2.

Pens: Baxendell.

Leeds: Albanese, Harder, Scarbrough, van Straaten, Davies, Ross, Dickens, Shelley, Regan, Kerr, C. Murphy, Palmer, Mather, Popham, Fea'unati.

Not Used: Holt, Rawlinson, Campbell, Hogg, Hegarty, Hall, Stanley.

Tries: Fea'unati, Mather, Stanley.

Cons: van Straaten.

Pens: van Straaten.

Att: 5,700

Ref: D Pearson (RFU).