Danny Cipriani racked up 21 points in Sale’s win over London Wasps to condemn the visitors to their 11th straight loss in a run that dates back to last season.
The Salford-based side now faces a short turn around period before they head to Northampton to play the Saints on Friday September 27.
Shark’s Director of Rugby Steve Diamond praised Cipriani’s performance in the 26-22 victory after he was called into action with just 20 minutes gone.
“He [Cipriani] came on and did what he does well, he controlled the game with the pack giving him some ball,” Diamond said.
“He is a very good player what we want is the consistency. If he comes on and does that regularly then what we have is a competitive side.”
Diamond commended his side for keeping their composure despite the last minute withdrawals from the starting line-up.
“We weathered the storm, we had James Gaskell and Dwayne Peel injured in the warm up which was quite freakish and Josh [Beaumont] after 15 minutes,” he said post match.
Mark Cueto extended his lead as top try scorer in Premier Rugby’s history crossing in the first half, and Cipriani looked to have assured Sale of victory with a try of his own just after the break.
Wasps struck back with two tries of their own to close the gap to one point but a late Cipriani penalty crushed any hope of a Wasps victory.
With next weekend’s opponents Northampton losing to a last minute penalty to Gloucester, Diamond knows that his side faces a real test at Franklins Gardens.
The Saints were widely tipped to do well this season and sit one point ahead of Sharks in the table.
“We have a massive fixture against Northampton but we’ve got nine points out of the first three games so we have got to count our blessings. I think it was four months last year before we were on nine points,” Diamond continued.
Image courtesy of Sale Sharks via YouTube, with thanks
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