CLOSE-UP

MIKE BROWN v FREDDIE STEWARD Harlequins full-back Leicester full-back

Former England stalwart Brown was dangerous in attack all afternoon, scoring a try and figuring in another while also producing a last-man, try-saving tackle to deny Tigers. Steward, the 6ft 5ins England U20 full-back, was safe under the high ball but had little opportunity going forward and marred his performance with two wasteful kicks into touch on the full.

BATH boss Stuart Hooper was happy to see his side put their recent on and off-field troubles behind them with an impressive win at Sale.

Director of rugby Hooper said: “It was a solid, solid performance from the lads and I’m incredibly proud of them for what they’ve had to through over the past couple of weeks.

“They were things out of their control, but things which do affect them and they came up here today and properly stood up.

“It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but that was our tactic as we expected an ugly night up here in Manchester.

“We got that, but we also got the win and it’s a huge win for the boys after a tough run.”

Sale counterpart Alex Sanderson will go back to the drawing board after a first defeat since taking charge.

He said: “Players and coaches alike, we’ll take a good look at ourselves and see what perhaps tactically we didn’t get right in that first half.

“Fair play to Bath, tactically they were very smart tonight, they played the conditions and they played field position and scored a couple of very well-taken tries.”