Defence wins you titles says Sale boss Alex Sanderson
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Sale Director of Rugby, Alex Sanderson looks on during the warm up whilst wearing a face covering prior to the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and Sale at Twickenham Stoop on February 20, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
SALE boss Alex Sanderson insists his side’s title challenge will be based on their solid defence.
The Sharks appear well placed to finish in the play-offs for the first time since their solitary Premiership championship in 2006.
“There were many pleasing aspects tonight and our attacking play looks slick,” Sanderson said. “The best sides in the Premiership have the best defences. Defences win championships.
“There were so many outstanding performances and we have guys to come back in as well, the likes of Manu Tuilagi and Rohan Janse van Rensburg.”
Frustrated Falcons boss Dean Richards said: “We had enough chances to score enough tries but we just didn’t take them. We have to look to ourselves as to reasons why.
“Sale are a good side and are reasonably welldrilled, but we gave them a couple of early tries and it was always going to be hard from there.
“We were on a six-day turnaround, which meant one full training day, and it’s just not enough when you’ve missed three weeks.”
