With the clock in the red at the end of the first half, George Ford tries a drop-goal but he's a long way out in these conditions and it never looks likely to go over the posts.

Leinster's Hugo Keenan touches down in-goal and that brings a fairly low key half to a close.

Underdogs Sale will be much the happier of the two sides being only four points behind at the break.

The TMO is just checking a possible deliberate knock-on by Sale number eight Dan du Preez.

On the replay it's the slightest of touches from the South African but it's enough to put Josh van der Flier off and he knocked on with plenty of green grass in front of him.

Because Du Preez went with one outstretched hand and is not making an attempt to catch it, the referee sends him to the sin-bin for ten minutes.

A blow for Sale having just got on the scoreboard.

Better from Sale and Rekeiti Ma'asi-White who barges through the Leinster midfield.

Joe McCarthy gives away a penalty on the ground and Sale have the chance to get on the scoreboard through George Ford, which he duly takes.

A four-point game.

Pre-engagement by Leinster at the scrum gives Sale a penalty and George Ford the chance to kick into opposition territory.

But then Sale make a mess of the resulting line-out and Leinster have it back again.

I've lost count of the handling errors already.

It's not pretty but the visitors will be happy to be well in this contest at the half-hour stage.

It's more of the same really - not a classic so far by any means.

Leinster earn the free-kick at Sale's scrum but then another error gifts possession back to the visitors.

Tadhg Furlong the legendary Leinster prop is now down for a bit of treatment - but he looks ok to continue.

Another scrum coming up...

Leinster are on top and enjoying more territory but with both sides kicking away possession and making handling errors we are struggling to get any momentum up in Dublin.

The greasy ball strikes again for the hosts and Sale will have a scrum.

We've seen a fair bit of kicking from both sides so far, some good, some not so good.

Harry Byrne's crossfield kick to Tommy O'Brien is right on the money but the winger's kick goes out of play as he looked to attack. It would have been interesting had he kept that in play.

Joe Carpenter then fields another high ball.

A bit of a kicking duel seems to have developed.

Halfway through the opening period and just the one try for Leinster - Dan Sheehan's effort after nine minutes.

Sale grab a loose ball and Dan du Preez boots it downfield and chases - Leinster get back to cover and kick into touch.

But the visitors take a quick line-out and come again showing good attacking intent.

A bit more encouragement for Sale now.

First real attacking phases for Sale now as they look to reply.

When the move comes to a halt George Ford goes to the skies - but Leinster full-back Hugo Keenan is a very safe pair of hands and he takes a fine catch under pressure.

Ford has put boot to ball a few times already.

More front row woe as Sale's Si McIntyre needs a bit of treatment.

Ouch, and Leinster lock Joe McCarthy has taken a big old knock, he will have to go off as a blood replacement with plenty of claret showing there.

Back in the action and Leinster have an attacking line-out and will look to grab the first points.

Conditions have brightened up now but the ball looks a little greasy still.

Great cover defence from Sale as Leinster get in behind them for the first time!

Tommy O'Brien chips down the wing but Sharks full-back Joe Carpenter gets across just in time.

Well this is a very early change for Leinster.

20-year-old academy prop Alex Usanov is making his first start in the Champions Cup but it only lasts four minutes as he limps off the pitch.

What a shame for the young man.

Jerry Cahir is on a lot earlier than he expected.

It's a little untidy so far, a knock on and a charged down kick emphasising that point.

It's windy and there is rain in the air so conditions could play a part.

Sale will be pleased with it so far though.

Sale's first target will be keeping Leinster out in the opening stages.

Easier said than done mind.

Great start for the visitors though as they win a penalty at the scrum against the head.

Big confidence booster!

The rain falls as Leinster fly-half Harry Byrne gets us started.

The players are emerging from the tunnel and we're almost ready to go!

Sale: Carpenter; Roebuck, R du Preez, Ma'asi-White, O'Flaherty; Ford, Warr; McIntyre, Caine, Opoku-Fordjour, Van Rhyn (capt), Bamber, Vermeulen, Dugdale, D du Preez.

Replacements: Longstaff, McEachran, Harper, Logan, Gilmore, Hanson, Louw, Wills.

Alex Sanderson has made three changes to his starting 15, with Rob du Preez returning at centre to partner Rekeiti Ma'asi-White as Marius Louw drops to the bench.

Du Preez is the only adjustment in the backs as George Ford starts at fly-half, Gus Warr at scrum-half, Tom O'Flaherty and Tom Roebuck on the wings and Joe Carpenter at full-back.

Sale are without a number of front row options after England internationals Bevan Rodd and Luke Cowan-Dickie both suffered serious injuries in the win over Harlequins, while Nathan Jibulu has been banned for six weeks for biting.

That means there is a first Champions Cup start for hooker Ethan Caine, and the experienced Si McIntyre comes in at prop alongside Asher Opoku-Fordjour who made his comeback from injury in last week's victory.

Sale, who are also without the injured twin brothers Tom and Ben Curry, will be captained by Ernst van Rhyn who is in the second row alongside Ben Bamber.

Jacques Vermeulen, Sam Dugdale and Dan du Preez make up the back row.

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson says his side may be the underdogs but they have not travelled to Dublin "to make up the numbers".

The Sharks beat Harlequins in an all-English last-16 tie last Saturday but their poor domestic form this season, with only three wins from 12 games in The Prem, means four-time European winners Leinster will be favourites to progress to the semi-final.

Sanderson said Sale would need to be at their best to stand a chance of making it to the last four but they were not going to "back down from the challenge".

"There is no bigger challenge in club rugby. We're well aware of that," he said.

"We're not going there to be part of their party and to make up numbers. We're taking Manchester on the road and we're going to have a proper dig at them.

"This is a team that rises to challenges and finds the best of itself when their backs are against the wall. We understand that we're going there as underdogs but we're going to go after them and do it for 80 minutes."