Tait is wrapped up by the Worcester defence during the clash at Edgeley Park © Getty Images

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Matches: Sale Sharks 9 - 17 Worcester Warriors

Players/Officials: Mathew Tait

Teams: England | Sale Sharks | Worcester Warriors

Sale's sixth defeat in their last seven matches at the hands of Premiership strugglers Worcester was compounded by the recurrence of a hamstring injury to England international Mathew Tait.

Tait was in line to start England's autumn international programme at full-back before damaging his hamstring a fortnight before the opening fixture against the Pacific Islanders. The former Newcastle player returned to action for the Sharks tonight determined to prove he is ready to leap straight back into an England jersey but he did not make the comeback he was hoping for in the 17-9 reverse.

He never looked fully fit and was withdrawn in the second half with a sore hamstring. Director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre said: "Tait's hamstring went tight and because he had pulled it before we didn't want to take any risks and so brought him off. We don't know how serious it is."

Netani Talei scored the only try of the game to breathe new life into Worcester's campaign and condemn Saint-Andre's men to an alarming fourth straight home defeat. Remarkably, Worcester have now beaten the Sharks at Edgeley Park for three seasons in succession but the result raised serious question marks over Saint-Andre's men.

Their home in Stockport has become a fortress in recent seasons but they looked desperately devoid of ideas and inspiration throughout. Saint-Andre - whose side's points came from three Charlie Hodgson penalties - said: "Worcester deserved to win and this was one of Sale Sharks' worst performances since I've been involved in the club. I take a lot of responsibility for this and I'm very, very concerned.

"It's the first time in my coaching career of 11 years that I've lost four home games in succession. We're missing a lot of players through injury and international call-ups and we've got to try and get ready for Wasps next weekend. We have eight days to improve."

Fijian flanker Talei, 25, crossed the line in the 52nd minute of a largely tepid encounter to edge his side 11-6 ahead and from there Mike Ruddock's men did not look back. Fly-half Matthew Jones also landed four penalties and the Warriors won the physical battle up front to lay the platform for a fine victory.

"It was a very good performance - we played well and deserved our win" said Ruddock. "At 6-6 at half-time, I thought we had probably had had the better of the half but hadn't manage to penetrate. I asked the boys to carry on playing that way because I felt we would get an opportunity and that's what happened as we scored a great try."