A 76th minute Faf de Klerk penalty ensured Sale Sharks got 2018 off to the perfect start as Steve Diamond’s side staged a thrilling fightback to claim a crucial Premiership victory at the AJ Bell Stadium.
In an action-packed game, Sale had stormed into an early 14-0 lead, then fallen 29-20 behind even with Quins reduced to 14 men following a red card to England prop Joe Marler.
The Sharks also lost the services of inspirational fly-half AJ MacGinty who was stretchered off with a serious-looking knee injury.
