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Sale clinch win over Wasps as Danny Cipriani’s boot finally finds range Sale clinch win over Wasps after Danny Cipriani finds his range
(35 minutes later)
If ever there was an afternoon made for Danny Cipriani to play his socks off this was it. The opponents were his former employers Wasps and watching in the stands were the England coach Stuart Lancaster and one of his international rivals, George Ford. Sometimes it is run-of-the-mill Sundays in Salford, rather than Twickenham finals, which end up shaping whole careers. If ever there was an afternoon made for Danny Cipriani to play his socks off this was it. The opponents were his former employers Wasps and watching in the stands were the England coach Stuart Lancaster and one of Cipriani’s international rivals, George Ford. Sometimes it is run-of-the-mill Sundays in Salford, rather than Twickenham finals, which end up shaping whole careers.
It was not the ideal moment, then, for England’s wannabe No10 to miss four of his first five kicks at goal with the wind at his back in the opening 40 minutes. Happily for Cipriani and his Sale team-mates his profligacy turned out not to be too costly, the Sharks collecting a victory which will do their confidence some good following three losses in their opening four games. Instead, it was Wasps who paid the heavier price for opting to rest several of their leading names for the trip to the breezy north-west. It was not the ideal moment, then, for England’s wannabe No10 to miss four of his first five kicks at goal with the wind at his back. Happily for Cipriani and his Sale team-mates his profligacy turned out not to be too costly, the Sharks collecting a victory which will do their confidence some good following three defeats in their opening four games. Instead, it was Wasps who paid the heavier price for opting to rest several of their leading names for the trip to the breezy north-west.
Lancaster, like everyone else, will have headed home not entirely certain what to think. While Sale’s defence, Cipriani’s included, was mostly sound, Wasps turned the ball over 18 times and only briefly resembled the side which buzzed with intensity against Northampton last month. Christian Wade scored one poacher’s try but conceded another with a glaring defensive howler in his own in-goal area. Like Cipriani, he still has work to do to make England’s autumn squad, set to be announced on 22 October. Lancaster, like everyone else, will have headed home not entirely certain what to think. While Sale’s defence, Cipriani’s included, was mostly sound, Wasps turned the ball over 18 times and only briefly resembled the side who buzzed with intensity against Northampton last month.
Dai Young, Wasps’ director of rugby, was adamant afterwards, however, that his decision to rest Joe Launchbury and James Haskell had nothing to do with any polite request from England. He described the lock as only “85%” fit following a recent neck strain and insisted that Haskell had been so “absolutely battered” in the season’s opening weeks that he already needed a rest. “My priority is looking after players,” he said. Christian Wade scored one poacher’s try but conceded another with a glaring defensive howler in his own in-goal area. Like Cipriani, he still has work to do to make England’s autumn squad, set to be announced on 22 October.
“It’s better to give them one week off than to see them on the sidelines for six-to-eight weeks. Every change we made was a necessary change. The guys needed a rest otherwise they were going to break down.” His opposite number Steve Diamond was scarcely complaining, implying Wasps might have taken the Sharks lightly: “They thought they could beat us without them. In this competition when you’re a mid-table side you’ve got to be putting your best side out.” Dai Young, Wasps’ director of rugby, was adamant his decision to rest Joe Launchbury and James Haskell had nothing to do with any polite request from England. He described the lock as only “85%” fit following a neck strain and insisted Haskell had been so “absolutely battered” in the season’s opening weeks he already needed a rest. “My priority is looking after players,” he said.
“It’s better to give them one week off than to see them on the sidelines for six-to-eight weeks. Every change we made was a necessary change. The guys needed a rest otherwise they were going to break down.” His opposite number Steve Diamond was scarcely complaining, implying Wasps might have taken Sale lightly: “They thought they could beat us without them. In this competition when you’re a mid-table side you’ve got to be putting your best side out.”
It was not the happiest of homecomings, either way, for the visitors’ former Sale contingent, Rob Miller, Chris Bell and James Gaskell. Their old side may have lacked the experienced Nathan Hines and Dan Braid but, with limited possession, still managed to score three tries and deny their opponents a bonus point which Diamond reckons could yet come into the European qualifying equation later in the season.It was not the happiest of homecomings, either way, for the visitors’ former Sale contingent, Rob Miller, Chris Bell and James Gaskell. Their old side may have lacked the experienced Nathan Hines and Dan Braid but, with limited possession, still managed to score three tries and deny their opponents a bonus point which Diamond reckons could yet come into the European qualifying equation later in the season.
Tom Arscott set the tone, eluding the tackle of Joe Simpson to dive over for an early try down the short side. Nathan Hughes did respond with a close-range effort when Sale were reduced to 14 men by the temporary dismissal of Michael Paterson but Wade’s subsequent failure to touch down a charged down kick three minutes before the interval allowed Chris Cusiter to nip in for the softest of scores.Tom Arscott set the tone, eluding the tackle of Joe Simpson to dive over for an early try down the short side. Nathan Hughes did respond with a close-range effort when Sale were reduced to 14 men by the temporary dismissal of Michael Paterson but Wade’s subsequent failure to touch down a charged down kick three minutes before the interval allowed Chris Cusiter to nip in for the softest of scores.
Wade still looks in need of a few more games following his return from long-term injury and Bath’s Semesa Rokoduguni, among others, is pushing him hard. The diminutive Wasps winger did burrow beneath Paterson and Dave Seymour to drag his side back into the contest with 11 minutes left but Sale’s final late try from Tom Brady perfectly summed up a slightly odd contest. Wade still looks in need of a few more games following his return from long-term injury and Bath’s Semesa Rokoduguni, among others, is pushing him hard. The diminutive Wasps wing did burrow beneath Paterson and Dave Seymour to drag his side back into the contest with 11 minutes left but Sale’s final late try from Tom Brady perfectly summed up a slightly odd contest.
Having carried the ball into touch near his own line, Will Helu unaccountably allowed Arscott to grab the ball off him and take a quick throw-in which just travelled the required five metres. The ball was swiftly transferred to Brady who scored wide on the right and Cipriani duly landed the touchline conversion. Unfortunately for the fly-half the referee, Luke Pearce, was still checking the legitimacy of the score and Cipriani’s optimistic plea – “I’ve missed about 12 kicks, let me have this one, ref!” – fell on deaf ears. His second attempt, however, was equally straight and true, in stark contrast to his initially wayward efforts. Having carried the ball into touch near his own line, Will Helu unaccountably allowed Arscott to grab the ball off him and take a quick throw-in which just travelled the required five metres. The ball was swiftly transferred to Brady who scored wide on the right and Cipriani landed the touchline conversion. Unfortunately for the fly-half the referee, Luke Pearce, was still checking the legitimacy of the score and Cipriani’s optimistic plea – “I’ve missed about 12 kicks, let me have this one, ref!” – fell on deaf ears. His second attempt, however, was equally straight and true, in stark contrast to his initially wayward efforts.
Sale will need him to be more consistent in their upcoming games against Northampton and Munster, while Wasps will have to be significantly sharper to see off Ford and his table-topping Bath side in High Wycombe on Sunday. Speculation about the club relocating to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry continues to be rife but Young insists his players remain unaffected by the possibility. “It seems to be gathering a bit of steam but the clear message from the playing group was: ‘Don’t tell us until something is absolutely concrete.’” Sale will need him to be more consistent in the games against Northampton and Munster, while Wasps will have to be significantly sharper to see off Ford and his table-topping Bath side in High Wycombe on Sunday. Speculation about the club relocating to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry continues to be rife but Young insists his players remain unaffected by the possibility. “It seems to be gathering a bit of steam but the clear message from the playing group was: ‘Don’t tell us until something is absolutely concrete.’”
Sale McLean; Brady, Leota, Jennings (Cueto, 73), Arscott; Sale McLean; Brady, Leota, Jennings (Cueto, 73), Arscott; Cipriani, Cusiter (Cliff, 73); Harrison (Lewis-Roberts, 70), Jones, Cobilas (De Marchi, 73), Mills (Beaumont, 58), Paterson, Lund (Fihaki, 58), Seymour, Easter.
Cipriani, Cusiter (Cliff, 73); Harrison (Lewis-Roberts, 70), Jones, Cobilas (De Marchi, 73), Mills (Beaumont, 58), Paterson, Lund (Fihaki, 58), Seymour, Easter.
Tries Arscott, Cusiter, Brady. Cons Cipriani 2. Pen Cipriani.Tries Arscott, Cusiter, Brady. Cons Cipriani 2. Pen Cipriani.
Drop-goal Cipriani. Sin-bin Paterson 25.Drop-goal Cipriani. Sin-bin Paterson 25.
Wasps Miller; Wade, Leiua, Bell (capt), Helu; Goode (Masi, 67), C Davies (Simpson, 54); Yapp (Mullan, 50), Festuccia, Cooper-Woolley (Cittadini, 61), Gaskell, Cannon (B Davies, 54), Johnson, Thompson (Jones,54), Hughes.Wasps Miller; Wade, Leiua, Bell (capt), Helu; Goode (Masi, 67), C Davies (Simpson, 54); Yapp (Mullan, 50), Festuccia, Cooper-Woolley (Cittadini, 61), Gaskell, Cannon (B Davies, 54), Johnson, Thompson (Jones,54), Hughes.
Tries Hughes, Wade. Cons Goode, Miller.Tries Hughes, Wade. Cons Goode, Miller.
Sin-bin Helu 30.Sin-bin Helu 30.
Referee L Pearce (RFU). Attendance 5,065.Referee L Pearce (RFU). Attendance 5,065.