Following a 38-0 victory for Sale Sharks over Bristol Bears in the Premiership on Friday evening, here’s our five takeaways from a stunning match at Ashton Gate.
The top line
That was a statement performance and result from Sale as they stunned Bristol in this four-try triumph at a silenced Ashton Gate to send a message of intent to the league.
Crossings from Raffi Quirke, Tom Roebuck, Ben Curry and Tom O’Flaherty were added to by 15 points off the tee from Rob du Preez while George Ford added a drop-goal.
You wouldn’t have thought it from tonight’s epic showing but this was the Sharks’ first Premiership victory on the road this season and boy did they make it a special victory.
Sale looking the real deal
Set-piece dominance, defensive steel (more on that later) and a scintillating attack gave Sale supporters a dream watch in this result as they climb up to third in the standings.
There looks to be something solid building under Alex Sanderson this campaign and finally breaking their away drought in the Premiership gives them a shot in the arm.
They look together as a group both on and off the field and with players like scrum-half Quirke and Jonny Hill back in action they have an extra edge on both sides of the ball.
The only negative of this incredible victory was the sight of Ford sitting on the sidelines appearing dejected after he limped off with a heavily strapped thigh. Sale will hope it doesn’t keep the England fly-half out for a significant period of action, as with his experience and calmness they are tracking ever so nicely heading into the new year.
A great night for Byron McGuigan
Sale’s recently appointed defence coach Byron McGuigan was beaming on the sideline late on and rightly so as he basked in a team performance that just had to be admired.
Bristol have not been nilled since September 2016 and with how their attack has been playing thus far this season it certainly is some feat for this McGuigan-led defence.
They shut down Bristol threats at source and in the wider channels as the likes of Bill Mata, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Gabriel Ibitoye were struggling for answers on an evening that the former Scotland international wing’s stock soared as a coach, with the Sharks’ players clearly buying what he is selling.
It was noticeable in the post-match interviews that Quirke said they were determined to keep the score at zero while try-scorer Curry had a similar motivation which says it all.
Bristol chalk and cheese from last week
How can a team go from a superb 54-24 victory at Leicester Tigers six days ago to this hammering on home soil? That will be the question on Bristol Bears supporters’ minds.
Granted they were without inspirational fly-half AJ MacGinty who is set for a four-month spell on the sidelines while wing Ibitoye was injured in the first half but this defeat will give Pat Lam and his players nightmares tonight as they were eaten alive by the Sharks.
Bristol simply cannot afford to become an inconsistent side or they will slip out of the play-off places, such is the quality of those teams around them in the league this term.
England fringe duo impress
While it was a complete team showing from Sale that saw every player come out with credit in the bank, one forgotten England international really stood out in this victory.
Quirke, who has been dogged by injuries in recent seasons, was exceptional and his try and assist for O’Flaherty really caught the eye and earned him praise from all corners.
If he can string a long spell of matches together and play at this level then England recognition awaits once again while team-mate Curry was equally brilliant. Crowned Player of the Match, the flanker continues to bang on the Test door for real game-time and he certainly gave Steve Borthwick food for thought with the Six Nations looming.
