HOW THEY RATED
15. ALI CROSSDALE: On his first Premiership appearance for four months, the English fullback made a welcome return. He took ownership of high ball situations, even if they didn’t always stick. Under penalty advantage he reminded Wasps of what he can do with ball in hand with a weaving run after a crossfield kick. Showed a real hunger after spilling a bomb to cover width of the pitch to baseball slide into touch. 7
14. FRANCOIS HOUGAARD: The South African had his biggest impact on the night when he spent ten minutes at scrum-half during Robson’s yellow card. He managed to win one turnover in defence, but stopped a good first half attack out wide with a knock-on. Did well to stop Arron Reed only for van der Merwe to score a few phases later. 6
13. MALAKAI FEKITOA: After three years at Wasps, his last home performance was largely a metaphor for his whole Wasps career. It showed some good moments but wasn’t consistent enough. A fly hack in his own 22 in the first half and a big missed tackle in midfield could both have led to tries. It’s just not good enough for a player of his ability and cost. Hands let him down at key moments as did his choice of pass. While Porter’s late pass was off target, bemoaning the moment cost Wasps 50 metres as Faf de Klerk scooped up. 4
12. JIMMY GOPPERTH: Not how he dreamt it would end. On his last appearance at the CBS Arena, it was fitting that his last action would be a long-range crucial kick, but it came agonisingly a metre short. Wasps fans will have many happier memories that he is responsible for though. His class was shown in the first half with a very nice kick under advantage that led to a chance out wide. A bona fide Wasps legend. 6
11. JOSH BASSETT: Didn’t get many opportunities ball in hand, and when he did he knocked on once out wide. A defensive misread in the midfield led to the break that Akker van der Merwe eventually scored from. He did save a sticky situation on 57 minutes by reading a Faf de Klerk kick in the 22 but was pushed into touch. Added his weight to the maul for Oghre’s try too. 6
10. CHARLIE ATKINSON: Didn’t get the chance to show his running game but had some nice moments, passing out of the tackle when the game was scoreless. He was brave in defence throughout, putting in a couple of efforts on the powerhouse Manu Tuilagi. He did knock the ball on twice under pressure in the air, an area he is improving in but still has some way to go. 6
9. DAN ROBSON: Operating behind a pack that was well on top, de Klerk won the battle of the scrum-halves. He was caught at the base of the ruck a couple of times, and when he tried to catch de Klerk, he was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock down - which did seem harsh. Did produce some excellent kicks to try and ease pressure, with his box varieties close to the touchline being of high quality. Replaced by Porter after 53 minutes. 6
1. TOM WEST: It was a difficult evening for the loosehead at the scrum as he got on the wrong side of the referee. Two key scrum losses cost three points on 28 and 37 minutes respectively. To his credit, he did manage to win the first penalty of the second half though before being replaced on 59 minutes. Wasps’ second top tackler with 10. 5
2. GABRIEL OGHRE: Oghre’s evening was typified by two sensational pieces of mauling. In the first half, it was in attack, where he patiently waited at the back of Wasps’ excellent maul to burrow over for his ninth try of the season. On 58 minutes he produced a moment that was arguably even better, working his way through the Sale maul to save a certain try. 7
3. BIYI ALO: Had a difficult evening on the occasion of his 15th consecutive front-line start. He lost three scrum penalties to Bevan Rodd, and cost Wasps a good lineout by closing the gap and giving up a free-kick. However, when Wasps were under the biggest pressure on 58 minutes he held firm under pressure to release the vice grip of the Northerners. 5
4. JOE LAUNCHBURY: England lock was his usual industrious self, but was most critical in mauls. He helped quell the pressure of a more powerful Sale pack, and when Wasps were 5m out he pivoted it around his large frame to allow the space for Oghre to find a way to the line. Cut a hurt, frustrated figure at the final whistle. 6
5. ELLIOTT STOOKE: Unfortunately his excellent first season at Wasps will have ended with an awful looking leg injury from the second half kick-off. Lee Blackett will hope that isn’t going to affect his preparations for next season. 6
6. BRAD SHIELDS: For a third time in five games, Shields was replaced before the hour mark with his substitution 13 minutes after half-time being the earliest without injury this term but has played more than 27 hours of front-line rugby, he’s earned his summer rest. Struggled to make an impact on proceedings. 6
7. JACK WILLIS: In the battle against England rival Tom Curry, Willis put on a performance that had to take the attention of England coach Eddie Jones. Three critical turnovers in the first half on 18, 20, 40 minutes kept Wasps outside their own territory. Used frequently in the carry but was well-marshalled. 7
8. ALFIE BARBEARY: Was unable to carry as much as he would have liked, only making 20 metres from his seven carries. His yellow card for a deliberate knock-on on 43 minutes was instinctive, but costly, and proved to be a huge turning point as this was when Sale began to take control of proceedings. 5
REPLACEMENTS
16. DAN FROST (for Oghre, 62) burgled a ruck ball close to the Sale line to give Wasps late on. 6
17. ROBIN HISLOP (for West, 59): couldn’t arrest the retreating Wasps scrum. 5
18. ELLIOT MILLAR-MILLS (Biyi Alo, 50): See above. 5
19. JAMES GASKELL (for Stooke, 41): Sonny Bill Gaskell signed off with a couple of nice offloads on his last home outing for Wasps and claimed some well-contested lineout balls.6
20. TOM WILLIS (for Shields, 53): Added impetus from the bench, giving particular momentum to two attacks that were well snuffed out. 6
21. WILL PORTER (for Robson, 53): Poor box kick straight up 60. Added pace to ball from ruck and was very close to a 50:22 with a brilliant effort. 6
22. ROB MILLER (for Crossdale, 73): Good support line and pass would have given Wasps a crucial try but for a sensational cover tackle by de Klerk.
23. PAOLO ODOGWU (for Hougaard, 59): Did well to wrestle de Klerk and retrieve a bad box kick. He showed his power with a brilliant ruck cleanout that secured Wasps ball against three Sale forwards.