Leicester boss Steve Borthwick urged his team to “keep working and improving” after a third defeat of the season for his champions.
Borthwick felt there was little between the two teams other than Leicester slipping away defensively after half-time when Sale scored twice.
The absence of overseas internationals and injuries has meant Leicester have been unable to field a regular team.
Borthwick said: “It was a hard-fought match for large parts between two teams who were pretty well matched.
“Two or three players were making their first starts of the season and we always knew this was going to...