Diamond’s sparklers

Bristol

40

SALE surged back into second place in the Gallagher Premiership with a six-try bonus point battering of underpowered Bristol at the AJ Bell Stadium.

The Sharks jumped over the Bears in the table to please boss Steve Diamond (below). He said:“A week ago when I said we were out of the title race we had given 40 penalties away in two games.

“We decided that Tom and Ben Curry and Akker van der Merwe were the only guys allowed to go for the ball at the breakdown and everyone else stays on their feet. We asked the players to do a job when we saw Bristol’s selection. “If we keep performing then we will be in with a shout at the end of season.

“We didn’t need to put in a superstar performance in the second half today – we just needed to win the game.”

Bristol had made 13 changes following the home defeat by Exeter and what was a largely second-string outfit had a horror first half against a Sale team featuring two sets of identical twins – the Curry boys and Jean-luc and Dan du Preez.

Crucially, Bristol opted to rest key men including Fijian star Semi Radradra, fullback Charlie Piutau and England No.8

Nathan Hughes while Sale were powered by their strong South African contingent led by scrum-half Faf de Klerk.

Bristol head coach Pat Lam said: ”We had to make changes – it’s Covid – no

L B F A Pts one asked for it.” Exeter 16 12 0 4 11

473 287 59 Sale tries came Sale from 17 Luke 10 James 0 7 10 (2), 426 de 256 50 Klerk, Denny Solomona, Bristol 17 Sam 10 James 1 6 6 and 367 365 48 Marland Yarde. Bath 16 10 0 6 4 33132944

Wasps 16 8 08 11 416 386 43

Northampton 16 8 088 354 366 40

Harlequins 16 6 1 9 6 339 414 32

Gloucester 16 5 0 11 11 356 366 31

London Irish 16 5 1 10 7 282 424 29

Worcester 16 50 11 7 263 391 27

Leicester 16 5 1 10 2 249 373 24

Saracens 16 11 0 5 9 424 323 -52 * Saracens deducted 105 points

Harlequins v Northampt on 2pm; Exeter v W orcester 3pm; Gloucester v Leicester 4.30pm.