James brothers take centre stage for Sale
NOTHING, it seems, can stop Sale Sharks right now.
A club who last qualified for the play-offs in 2006, the year they were crowned champions, are finally title contenders again.
On the evidence of this latest masterclass, Steve Diamond’s men appear a safe bet for a top-four finish.
Chris Ashton has joined Harlequins but Diamond still has three quality wingers at his disposal in Marland Yarde, Denny Solomona and Byron McGuigan.
The Sharks boss, whose side host Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby Cup final next Sunday, said: “We’ve got a good set of lads and everyone wants to play.
“Those who don’t want to play for the club leave and we find ourselves in a position where we want to win games. From one to twentythree, I thought everyone showed their commitment to the club.” Diamond added: “The most pleasing thing is we didn’t panic in the first half.
Our bench was probably stronger and we injected a bit of pace in the last 30 minutes of the game.
“Our defence was very good right the way through – they didn’t get in our 22 many times and it was a victory built on defence. I’m delighted to get the bonus point.” Sale, as they often do, gradually overpowered their opponents to claim an impressive six-try haul.
Irish boss Declan Kidney admitted: “Sale play a good game of rugby and you have to learn to play the different styles.
“Sale are able to play that way, that’s why they’re going so well, and we must learn to play against sides that play that type of game.
It’s doable but you have to be on the money.” Brothers Sam and Luke James, who Diamond believes have England potential, took centre stage during the first half with the homegrown pair both on the scoresheet.
Two big summer signings made their debuts. Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions flanker Sean O’Brien lasted 48 minutes after making his first London Irish appearance after recovering from a longterm hip injury.
Sale’s Lood de Jager came on for the final 25 minutes having not played since injuring his shoulder in South Africa’s World Cup final win over England.
Sale’s opening try came when Irish hooker Motu Matu’u’s errant pass was seized on by Sam James, who gleefully scampered clear from 20 metres inside the left channel.
A second home score came on the stroke of halftime when Bryn Evans and Will Cliff combined to find Ben Cur ry advancing at pace on halfway. His progress was halted but a neat offload found Cliff and he offloaded to Rob du Preez.
The South African playmaker displayed outstanding speed and skill to saunter past several Irish defenders before showing intelligence to send Luke James diving over in the right cor ner. A delightful effort.
In the 59th minute Harry Elrington was sinbinned for persistent team of fences from Irish and soon after a driving maul culminated in hooker Rob Webber being driven over the line on his 100th appearance for the club.
Sale now had the scent for further tries and they were not to be denied. Another Irish handling error saw Solomona seize possession and send Sam James over in the right corner for his second to secure the bonus point.
Yet Sale were not finished and Faf de Klerk sent Solomona diving in for an exquisite finish before fellow replacement McGuigan caught de Klerk’s brilliant crossfield kick and touched down in the left cor ner.
CLOSE-UP
ROB DU PREEZ STEPHEN MYLER
Sale fly-half London Irish fly-half
South African playmaker du Preez is the heartbeat of this Sale side along with his two brothers and, not for the first time this season, he outshone his opposite number. So many of the Sharks’ best attacks went through du Preez and Myler was not afforded such time and space to play. The Exiles’ pack were a distinct second-best and du Preez took full advantage.
