At long last, Goode news for Leicester

Seventeen points from the fly-half Andy Goode helped Leicester to their first Premiership win since December, against London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.

Goode, who returned to the Tigers this season after an unhappy spell with Saracens, kicked four penalties and a drop goal and converted Daryl Gibson's first-half try to send the Irish, in fifth place at the start of play, to a rare 22-9 home defeat.

Leicester were in the unusual situation of missing only one player - the lock Ben Kay - on duty with England, and fielded four World Cup winners in their pack, including Martin Johnson, who broke the club record for appearances as captain, and Neil Back. Back was to the fore in a determined defensive effort in the second period as the Tigers rode the loss of prop Graham Rowntree and centre Ollie Smith to the sin-bin for technical offences as Irish pressed for a way back into the game.

Former New Zealand centre Gibson scored the only try, forcing his way over from short range on the half hour. Goode improved his touchline conversion with penalties in the 35th and 40th minutes, the latter from inside his own half, to set up a 16-6 lead at the interval. Irish's points had come from two penalty goals from fly-half Mark Mapletoft.

The second half was tight, with Goode kicking two penalties to Mapletoft's one before a frenetic finale. Irish applied the pressure but Leicester, by fair means or occasionally foul, held on.

Geordan Murphy provided more good news when he came through an eight minute cameo unscathed. The Ireland full-back was making his first appearance of the season after breaking his leg in a World Cup warm-up match.

Northampton ran in eight tries to beat Sale 51-12 at Franklin's Gardens. Bruce Reihana scored twice with Grant Seeley, Mark Tucker, Oriol Ripol, Jonny Howard, Mark Soden and Steve Williams also crossing to make light of losing Steve Thompson, Paul Grayson, Ben Cohen and Tom Smith to the Calcutta Cup. Shane Drahm kicked four conversions and a penalty.

Sale, missing Jason Robinson, Chris Jones, Alex Sanderson and Jason White, replied with tries from Steve Hanley and Vaughan Going and a conversion from the USA fly-half Mike Hercus.