Unforced errors cost us – Deacon

HEAD coach Paul Deacon described his first match in charge of Sale Sharks as a “nerveracking, new experience – but one I enjoyed”.

After a baptism of fire at the Stade Mayol in which his side found themselves trailing 26-0 during the secondhalf, Deacon, 41, said: “I just said to the boys that I’m proud of their efforts.

“We coughed up some ball with a few unforced errors which really cost us but I can’t knock their efforts which was what I was after.

“The togetherness was fantastic – the way we fought back in the last 20 minutes and threw the ball around.

“That’s the way we want to play so there are a lot of positives to take.

“The scoreboard got away from us in the first half but we’ve got our structures and processes in place and the lads stuck at it which is the pleasing thing.

“It’s always disappointing when you don’t get the result but there’s always next week and hopefully we can improve on that performance.”

In a message to departed director of rugby Steve Diamond, Deacon – who was brought to the club by Diamond from Rugby League – added: “I hope the lads did him proud.

“He’s put this squad together and had a big say in that so hopefully he was watching and enjoyed what he saw.”

Sale are at home next weekend to Edinburgh.