Sharks now just playing for pride
NORTHAMPTON Saints left the AJ Bell Stadium on Friday night with a convincing 32-12 bonus point victory.
It was labelled a must-win for Sale, but they rarely threatened. Here are five things we learned from the home defeat for the Sharks...
CHARNLEY FINALLY OFF THE MARK ONE of few positives from the game was seeing league convert Josh Charnley score his first try in rugby union.
The former Wigan Warriors winger has been rested in recent weeks after a long Super League season.
But he did well to land on a grubber in the corner for what will, hopefully, be his first of many tries in his new sport.
SEASON OVER? SIXTH-PLACED Northampton’s visit was labelled a must-win for Sale and having seen the Saints leave the AJ Bell with five points, the Sharks’ fight for Champions Cup qualification is all but over.
They’re now closer to the bottom of the table than the top six, although Worcester’s win over Bristol on Sunday means Mark Tainton’s side are more than likely making an immediate return to the Championship.
Sale are now playing for pride alone with safety secured and eighth place realistically being the highest they can finish.
ADDISON MISSED CENTRE Will Addison was ruled out for the season with a foot injury at Saracens and was clearly missed in the Sale attack.
His influence cannot be underestimated, especially given that he led so well as captain in the previous weeks, as well as kicking goals.
Johnny Leota and Mark Jennings still make up a good partnership in the centres but the Sale vicecaptain’s x-factor was clearly missed in attack.
IMPORTANCE OF A FLY-HALF ANOTHER reason Sale struggled to break down Northampton was the lack of a regular fly-half in the team.
Sam James has done extremely well in the No.10 shirt this season, but struggled in the tricky, wet conditions on Friday night.
In contrast, Stephen Myler’s experience in Northampton’s 10 shirt told as he pinned Sale back in their own half, one of a few key factors which helped Saints take the win.
PLENTY TO WORK ON SALE now have two weeks without a game before travelling to secondplaced Exeter.
Two winnable games follow with the Sharks hosting Worcester before a trip to Gloucester and they finish against Leicester and Bath.
After one of their poorest performances of the season on Friday night, the break could come at a good time with plenty to work on before they look to finish a disappointing season strongly.