Wings Alesana Tuilagi and Scott Hamilton scored a try each for Tigers, while fly-half Toby Flood added a conversion and a penalty. Sam Vesty was also on target with a conversion.
Sale struck back through two Mark Cueto tries, and a penalty and a conversion from Charlie Hodgson.
However, Tigers finished the half with 14 men after Julian White was given a red card on 23 minutes following an incident with Sale loosehead Andrew Sheridan.
They were captained for the first time by Ireland international Geordan Murphy after Martin Corry and Aaron Mauger were ruled out by injury.
Dan Hipkiss returned at centre after recovering from a knee injury and was joined in midfield by Sam Vesty. Marcos Ayerza and Julian White returned to the front row and Ben Pienaar took over from Corry at the base of the scrum.
Sale Sharks centre Luke McAlister failed a fitness test on a hamstring injury. Mathew Tait moved to outside centre with Oriol Ripol coming in on the left wing.
