Sale Sharks earned a famous victory on Saturday over all-conquering table toppers Northampton, gaining revenge for the heavy defeat they suffered in the reverse fixture.
England head coach Stuart Lancaster was there to watch Danny Cipriani orchestrate the performance in blustery conditions at the AJ Bell as the Sharks ran out 20-7 winners.
Director of rugby Steve Diamond likened the result to a ‘cup final’ but warned that the prolonged absence of England caps could see the talismanic Cipriani leave Sale and the Aviva Premiership.
He said: “I think it’s unfair for Danny if his selection for England should be picked on the performance of the team all the time.
“Danny played well but he’s been playing well all year. On the basis of the past three months in the European Cup and the league, he deserves a shot.
“If he doesn’t get picked and he goes then we will find somebody else. That’s the way it happens at Sale and there’s no other way you can look at it.”
The influential fly-half ended a six-year exile from the England squad in the summer tour of New Zealand but has not featured in Lancaster’s side since and could miss out on the Six Nations team announced next week.
Facing stern competition from Owen Farrell, George Ford and Stephen Myler for the England number 10 shirt, Cipriani may make the lucrative switch to Toulon when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Despite fears of losing his star playmaker, Diamond was positive about his team’s chances of securing top six status.
“To get points off one of the top four sides is rare and we are delighted we are up there challenging for a top six spot.
“I think we have put two or three performances in like that but have been unlucky, but I’m really pleased we managed to see this one through.”
The game took on extra significance as the league takes a four-week hiatus for the cup competitions, meaning Sale are well positioned to climb up the table when they face bottom side London Welsh next month.
Diamond added: “You play against the top four sides and it’s always difficult but on a one-off game like today we looked at it as a bit of a cup final before the break.”
Sharks now face their two remaining group games in the European Rugby Champions Cup and with no chance of progression it may allow for some player rotation ahead of the LV=Cup rounds a fortnight later.
The Salford club host ASM Clermont Auvergne next week with the chance to avenge the 35-5 drubbing they received earlier in the season, before travelling to Munster.
Main image courtesy of BBC via YouTube, with thanks.
