Sale Sharks player ratings vs Leinster | 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup

Sale Sharks player ratings: No one gave Alex Sanderson’s Mancunians much hope going into this Investec Champions Cup quarter-final with Leinster in Dublin.

They showed up in the first half and made life difficult for Leinster, but the lack of a Plan B when George Ford repeatedly leathering the ball didn’t work, saw them finish a distant second on a 43-13 scoreline.

Here are our Sale Sharks player ratings:

1. Si McIntyre – 7
Enjoyed his battle with Tadhg Furlong far more than most looseheads do. Held his end up well at scrum time and was arguably on the right side of the referee more often than his opposite number. His high shot on James Ryan earned him a yellow card, which dulled what was otherwise very good outing.

2. Ethan Caine – 6
Part of a Sale front-row that caused Leinster consistent headaches at scrum time in the first half. His throwing was largely reliable, barring one malfunction, but he became increasingly exposed as Leinster picked apart Sale’s lineout in the second half.

3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour – 8
Outstanding in the tight five. Dominant at scrum time and relentless in defence, racking up an impressive tackle count. One of the standout Sale performers and a reminder to Borthwick of his pedigree.

4. Ernst van Rhyn – 6
A difficult day at the office. Fell off two tackles inside the opening ten minutes and soon found himself under severe pressure at the lineout as Leinster’s jumpers began to read Sale’s calls with ease. Worked hard but was ultimately outmanoeuvred.

5. Ben Bamber – 6.5
The 6’9”, 126kg lock certainly made himself felt physically and tackled his guts out in the opening half-hour as Leinster turned up the heat. Like van Rhyn, though, he was repeatedly pickpocketed at the lineout as the match wore on.

6. Jacques Vermeulen – 5.5
As ever, a handful in traffic and capable of punching holes close to the ruck, but ill-discipline crept in at crucial moments. Gave away two first-half penalties and then coughed up another breakdown penalty early in the second half that shifted momentum firmly Leinster’s way.

7. Sam Dugdale – 8
One of Sale’s brightest sparks. A huge 10-metre burst from the base of the scrum got Sale out of trouble and showcased his athleticism. Tireless defensively and consistently visible during a period when Sale had precious little ball.

8. Dan du Preez – 6
Typically meaty in contact and did carry hard, but was penalised for holding on early and then shown a yellow card for an illegal one-handed knock-on. His afternoon summed up Sale’s: plenty of effort, not enough accuracy or reward.

9. Gus Warr – 8
Excellent. His box-kicking was consistently accurate and really tested Leinster’s backfield, particularly early on. Even managed to win ruck turnovers against far bigger bodies. One of Sale’s best and their most consistent performer across 80 minutes.

10. George Ford – 6.5
Drove Sale around the park well and kept the scoreboard ticking with penalty goals, but his obsession with kicking to Leinster’s back three – particularly Hugo Keenan – rarely paid dividends. Cranked a drop goal well wide before half-time. The question lingered throughout: where was Plan B?

11. Tom O’Flaherty – 4.5
It just wasn’t his day. Turned over twice in the first half and again shortly after the break, never quite able to get Leinster’s jackals off him. Worked hard defensively but lacked impact when Sale desperately needed momentum.

12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White – 6
Struggled to impose himself in a congested midfield during the first half. Did win a penalty when adjudged not to have been released after ripping the ball, but overall found it hard to generate go-forward against Leinster’s aggressive defence.

13. Rob du Preez – 6
Had a couple of street-smart moments in midfield, using his experience to buy Sale some territory and slow Leinster ball when possible. Could only do so much behind a pack that was increasingly retreating.

14. Tom Roebuck – 5.5
Came into the game in fine form but saw precious little ball. When he did get his chances, Leinster’s cover defence was quick to shut him down. Starved of opportunities by Sale’s inability to shift the point of attack.

15. Joe Carpenter – 5
Showed some nice footwork early on but was turnover-prone and struggled with Leinster’s kick-chase and breakdown pressure. Taken off at half-time as Sale searched for a spark from elsewhere.

Replacements – 4
Made little impact as Leinster seized control. Alex Wills provided a rare highlight, finishing a sweeping late move to add gloss to the scoreboard, but the bench couldn’t stem the tide as Sale faded badly in the final quarter.