England head coach Stuart Lancaster was at the AJ Bell stadium to watch Danny Cipriani orchestrate the performance in blustery conditions as the Sharks ran out 20-7 winners against the Premiership pacesetters.

There is no let up for Sharks as they welcome reigning champions and table-toppers Northampton tomorrow who are on a seven-game winning streak and six points clear of the chasing pack.

Sharks may have nothing but pride to play for as they face the return fixture away to Saracens in the European Rugby Champions Cup tomorrow, however flanker Andrei Ostrikov insists his side won’t roll over just because they are out of contention.

Despite winning three league games in a row going into Saturday’s match, Sale were unable carry their good form into Europe losing 19-15 courtesy of tries from Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola.

Cipriani produced a moment of magic in order the seal Sharks’ hat-trick of wins in the Aviva Premiership last weekend and tomorrow afternoon he has another chance to prove himself to England selectors after being omitted from the autumn internationals squad.

A win on Tyneside against Newcastrle on Sunday in round nine would move Sale closer to director of rugby Steve Diamond’s Christmas points target and strengthen their claim for a top six place.

Captain Dan Braid scored the only try of the match just over 10 minutes from time, after both sides traded penalties, to give Sale a 16-12 win at Twickenham Stoop.

England suffered a fifth straight defeat at the hands of world champions New Zealand on Saturday, going down 24-21 at Twickenham as once again the Red Rose fell just short against the world’s number one side.

Thomas, who has been capped seven times for England already, swapped Sale Sharks in the summer for a move to Bath and despite being frustrated at being the second cab off the rank for club and country this season, Justin Leonard insists he has made the right move.

England and New Zealand face each other twice this weekend as both codes of rugby contest international fixtures – but is it union or league that has the better chance of beating the rugby kings?

Cipriani earned his first Test appearance since 2008 on the tour of New Zealand in the summer but has been overlooked by Lancaster and his coaching staff in their latest squad for fixtures against the All Blacks, South Africa, Samoa and Australia