'Magnificent' England player 'doesn’t get the credit because he’s so good'

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson paid tribute to his side after they beat Gloucester 27-10 to claim a bonus-point win on the opening night of the new Gallagher Prem season.

England winger Tom Roebuck’s try put Sale ahead in the 16th minute but George Skivington’s visitors hit back through Jack Clement’s touchdown on the stroke of half-time.

Yet debutant hooker Nathan Jibulu’s try levelled matters at 10-10 after Clement had been sin-binned and George Ford’s conversion edged Sale back in front at 12-10.

Ford then supplied the pass to send Joe Carpenter over for the hosts’ third try before Hyron Andrews grabbed their fourth for the bonus point.

It was a pleasing night’s work for Sale and Sanderson said: “I was frustrated at half-time, but also pretty calm really.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Sale

27 - 10

Full-time

Gloucester

All Stats and Data

“I just asked the players what the fixes were and going into the week it was finding the gameplan that we wanted to carry out.

“I said at half-time ‘let’s do it better’ and our set-piece was magnificent so that’s probably the biggest thing.

“This win was a bit of a statement of intent of our ambition.”

Ford was outstanding for Sale and Sanderson was gushing with praise over his star man, who reached a century of England caps against Argentina during the summer tour.

Sanderson added: “George was magnificent wasn’t he?

“He just marshalled things in the second half and was exceptional again, but he’s another one who doesn’t get the credit because he’s so good.

“George is loving his rugby and that shines through.”

Gloucester counterpart Skivington could not hide his frustration after the way his side fell away so badly in the final quarter.

“I’m obviously a bit gutted after those last 10 minutes,” said Skivington.

“Both teams were in the fight but we just can’t fold like we did.

“We looked a bit clumsy and our lack of inches into their 22 was a bit frustrating, so there’s a bit of work for us to do.

“We wanted to get into game and attack and I thought our endeavour was good – I can’t fault that.

“But we had a really poor last 10 minutes, which was a shame because we came away with nothing.

“That’s the reality of the Prem and like I say we’ve got some work to do.

“Maybe it’s a reality check for us, but we’ll go and lick our wounds and go back on the bus before coming back stronger.”

Skivington paid tribute to Sale playmaker Ford, saying: “George was outstanding but he always is.

“We did what he wanted us to do and Sale capitalised on that.”