Premiership: Sale 39-0 London Irish – Sharks thrash Exiles

Sale went prime of the Premiership with a superb 39-Zero win in opposition to London Irish.

Interceptions brought about each of Sale’s first-half tries because the Irish defence stood as much as the Sharks’ dominance – Sam James went in on 17 minutes earlier than his brother Luke crossed in stoppage time.

Robert du Preez’s penalty put Sale additional forward earlier than Rob Webber was mauled over for Sale’s third strive.

Sam James obtained the bonus level earlier than Denny Solomona and Byron McGuigan went over late on as Irish crumbled.

Sale draw degree with Premiership leaders Exeter, however go above them by advantage of their higher factors distinction, though the Chiefs have a sport in hand, whereas Irish stay in eighth place within the desk.

Two large summer season signings made their debuts as former Eire and British and Irish Lions flanker Sean O’Brien lasted 48 minutes after making his first London Irish look after recovering from a long-term hip injury.

In the meantime, Sale’s Lood de Jager got here on for the ultimate 25 minutes having not performed since injuring his shoulder in South Africa’s World Cup remaining win over England.

O’Brien was powerless to cease Sam James’ opening strive after 17 minutes as Motu Matu’u’s cross was picked off by the Sale centre who glided over unchallenged from 20 metres.

Regardless of all their possession and territory it was not till the ultimate play of the half that Sale fortuitously scored once more – Ben Meehan’s cross deep in Sharks territory was intercepted and Will Cliff and Ben Curry gained floor earlier than Robert du Preez’s break arrange Luke James in the proper nook.

Sale stepped up the stress after the break and Irish couldn’t stay with Steve Diamond’s males – Harry Elrington was sin-binned after a bunch of offences as Sale had been encamped on the Irish line and Webber was pressured over in opposition to the 14 males with 18 minutes left.

Sam James obtained his second strive after an Irish mistake allowed Solomona to select up and ship him over earlier than the winger went from supplier to scorer as he dived into the nook with seven minutes left after a five-metre scrum.

The win was confirmed within the remaining play of the sport as Faf de Klerk’s excellent cross-field kick was gathered by fellow alternative McGuigan and the Scotland again went over within the nook.

Sale: Hammersley; Solomona, S James, L James, Yarde; R du Preez, Cliff; Oosthuizen, Webber, Cooper-Woolley, Evans, J-L du Preez, Ross (capt), B Curry, D du Preez.

Replacements: Langdon, Harrison, John, Phillips, De Jager, De Klerk, Curtis, McGuigan.

London Irish: Parton; Loader, Rona, Hepetema, Hassell-Collins; Myler, Meehan; Elrington, Matu’u, Hoskins, van der Merwe (capt), Mafi, O’Brien, Donnell, Tuisue.

Replacements: Faingaa, Goodrick-Clarke, Chawatama, Maddison, Rogerson, Cowan, Phipps, B. Campbell.

Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU).