GLOUCESTERhead coach Johan Ackermann insisted that the team’s errors in the first half caused their capitulation after the break.
The Cherry and Whites conceded three tries in the opening period before Sale scored 35 more points in the final 40 minutes.
“The start blew us away,” Ackermann said. “It was margins but also brilliance (from Sale). It was always backs against the wall from that start.

“We couldn’t finish. Every time, we lost the ball in contact and knocked the ball on just as we were starting to build pressure.
“These are small margins ...