England star's possible Harlequins farewell ends in Sale defeat

Joe Launchbury appeared to be saying an emotional farewell to the sport he has served and loved for almost two decades as he was applauded off the field at the end of Harlequins’ 52-33 home defeat to Sale.

Unfortunately for the former England lock, if it was his last game having recently announced his intended retirement at the end of the season, it will have left a sour taste in his mouth.

A crushing defeat for Quins added to their miserable domestic campaign with Sharks running in eight tries and finishing strongly to boost their own disappointing Premiership season.

Launchbury, 35, appeared close to tears as he repaid the applause with his own clapping and standing on the field after being an early second-half replacement to take in the situation before walking away.

The former Wasps forward, capped 70 times by his country, had walked onto the field before the start hand in hand with his wife and their young children. He struggled in a game which was non-stop end-to-end attack where defence was well down on the priorities.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Harlequins

33 - 52

Full-time

Sale

All Stats and Data

Sharks swept into a 12-0 lead courtesy of tries from No 8 Sam Dugdale, who ploughed over the line untouched, and hooker Alfie Longstaff from a driving maul.

Quins fought back with England flanker Chandler Cunningham-South reaching over a pile of bodies to score from close range.

Sharks then lost South Africa centre Rob du Preez to a hamstring injury – putting at risk his run of 88 consecutive games – after 17 minutes.

Quins were ahead when Argentine flanker Guido Petti’s barn-storming run left two Sale men on their backsides and he raced bull-like across the line for Marcus Smith to convert.

England fly-half Smith was repeating the act after 24 minutes when a flowing Quins move led to full-back Jamie Benson racing behind the posts for a third quick try.

Sharks replied with their own pressure on the Quins line and this time the ball was collected by George Ford to stroll over for a try.

He added the extras but missed the next conversion as Sale retook the lead when Tom Roebuck’s break and kick through helped Tom O’Flaherty to saunter across the line for the bonus-point try.

Quins went back ahead early in the second half with a swift attack down the left leaving wing Hayden Hyde the simple task of bringing up their bonus point untouched.

Quins hooker Sam Riley burst over in the left corner but from then on it was Sharks who grew in strength and finished with power to clinch the victory.

Tries from prop James Harper and a second for Dugdale – both from close range – gave them the lead.

Harper and Roebuck crossed for further scores as the visitors ran out comfortable winners in the end.