RAFF JUSTICE
Verdict on fired-up Quirke... ‘Pick him for England, Eddie!’
Leicester 16 Sale 26
SALE boss Alex Sanderson watched comeback-kid Raffi Quirke turn this match round – and tipped him for an England autumn recall.
Quirke came off the bench with Sale 16-12 down at the break, and inspired them to a fourth win on the spin.
The 21-year-old had not played since April 9, when he wrecked his hamstring in a Champions Cup game against Bristol – but he was back with a bang here.
Quirke won his two caps to date last November, scoring against South Africa, before getting injured in the spring.
He made a score here for Tom Curry, touched down one himself and saved one late on, when he held up Tigers centre Matt Scott over the line.
And Sanderson reckons Quirke deserves another shot at the big time from national boss Eddie Jones and can be England’s first-choice No.9.
Sanderson said: “If Eddie is watching that, it is going to be difficult to keep Raffi out.
“He was on fire. He scored tries, stopped them and set them up. He was a one-man try machine, both sides of the ball. I am chuffed for him.
“It has been frustrating for him, the last 12 months, as he hasn’t played much and he has got big ambitions. He has got another couple of games to show what he can do, and hopefully get himself into the autumn international squad.
“He got a taste of it this time last year and has got more than a taste now – he has got a thirst and is super-keen to showcase what he can do.
“On form, he is the No.1 scrum-half for us and could play for England and be the No.1 scrum-half for them. His ambitions are bigger than just Sale.” Sharks, who saw Rob du
Preez (below) boot the extras three times, are four wins from four now, stand top of the table – and still have George Ford waiting on the sidelines.
Sanderson added: “There is a real confidence and a good feeling around the camp – we have got to keep riding the wave.”
The Quirke Show started when he broke and put Tom Curry through on 47 minutes to give Sharks the lead, then he made the most of full-back Joe Carpenter’s break to score his own. His try-saving tackle was the icing on the cake.
This was Leicester’s first home league defeat for 490 days but third Premiership reverse in five games so far. Boss Steve Borthwick said: “We had two or three making their first start of the season. There are new combinations and you have got to develop those relationships.” LEICESTER: Try: Wiese; Pens: Burns (3); Con: Burns
SALE: Tries: Roebuck, du Preez, T Curry, Quirke; Cons: du Preez (3)