Pollard inspires Tigers to eight-try win over Sharks

Leicester Tigers: (35) 56

Tries: Montoya 2, Hassell-Collins, Kata, Pollard, Van Poortvliet, Clare, Ilione Cons: Pollard 6, Shillcock 2

Sharks: (10) 17

Tries: Tshituka, Hooker Cons: Masuku 2 Pen: Masuku

Handre Pollard marked his Leicester Tigers return with a 17-point haul as they cruised past Sharks to kickstart their Investec Champions Cup campaign.

Pollard, who missed his side's opening Pool 1 defeat at Bordeaux Begles, scored one of the hosts' eight tries and maintained a perfect kicking record from the tee at Welford Road.

The South Africa fly-half managed the game beautifully and found touch with the boot to lay the foundations for Tigers' opening two tries, which were almost identical rolling mauls, finished off by captain Julian Montoya.

An understrength Sharks side, who left Pollard's Springboks team-mates Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth at home in Durban, replied through Manu Tshituka but failed to threaten much more as the hosts took control.

Ollie Hassell-Collins was the beneficiary of Eduan Keyter's error of judgement before Solomone Kata burst through in midfield to seal a bonus point within 34 minutes.

Pollard claimed Tigers' fifth try before the interval and Jack van Poortvliet sniped over to ensure they quickly regained momentum after the break.

Ethan Hooker registered a consolation for Sharks on the hour mark, but Tigers had the final say as replacements Charlie Clare and Emeka Ilione both burrowed over from close range before the end.

Tigers leapfrogged Sharks with the crushing success to move up to second in the table, while the South African side drop to fourth.

More to follow.

Leicester Tigers: Steward; Bassett, Perese, Kata, Hassell-Collins; Pollard, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Montoya (c), Heyes, Wells, Martin, Liebenberg, Reffell, Cracknell.

Replacements: Clare, Cronin, Cole, Henderson, Ilione, Youngs, Shillcock, Woodward.

Sharks: Jo Hendrikse; Keyter, Hooker, Venter, Penxe; Masuku, Ja Hendrikse; Mchunu, Richardson, Nyakane, Jenkins, Van Heerden, Buthelezi (c), Labuschagne, Tshituka.

Replacements: Bester, Ganyane, Jacobs, Rahl, Mavesere, Davids, Appollis, Kunene.

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)