Steve Borthwick says every game remains a learning experience for his Leicester Tigers squad.

Tigers lost for just a second time in 18 games this season when a second-half fightback gave Sale Sharks a bonus-point 35-26 victory in the Gallagher Premiership on Sunday.

“Ultimately it was two good teams who went at it and a good game of rugby in tricky conditions,” said the Tigers head coach.

“Credit to Sale, they did really well in the second half and put pressure on us and ultimately we conceded points.

“The scoreline is not what we wanted, but we learn from that game and go forward.”

Tigers led at half-time following tries from Julian Montoya – who added another in the second half – and Guy Porter and were 26-24 in front again approaching the final 10 minutes before Sharks clinched the points.

“For large parts of the game we did a lot of good things,” added Borthwick who lost fly-half Freddie Burns to injury early in the second half.

“There wasn’t a huge amount in the game, we conceded one or two tries where we could have done a bit better, some decisions could have been a bit better, but there were a lot of good things as well.

“We still have a young team. Everything is a learning experience for us, nothing has changed.

“We’ll watch the game and do a good debrief and then we’ll ask the players to go out and work hard and work on the next one.”

Tigers are back on home ground in Round 15 of the league season this Saturday when Worcester Warriors are the visitors. Tickets are still available and there will be live coverage from the Six Nations fixture between Scotland and England on the big screen in the Final Whistle afterwards.