Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond is determined to bed in younger members of his squad despite a chastening defeat to Newport Gwent Dragons in their opening European Challenge Cup match.

Sale Sharks head to south Wales for their opening match of the European Challenge Cup this weekend to play Newport Gwent Dragons, a side they haven’t faced since 2006.

Sale suffered their second loss of the Aviva Premiership season at The Stoop on Friday night, leaving question marks over the Manchester side’s ability to win away from home.

Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond was frustrated after the game with the result leaving his side eight points adrift of the top six with just two games to play and needing some fortune to qualify for European action next season.