Chris Jones, BBC Rugby Union correspondent
The Prem has been all about free flowing assault to date this season, however this was far more of an old style dogfight.
A stop-start recreation dominated by the referee’s whistle, Sale got here up with two massive performs within the second half: Tom O’Flaherty with a surprising particular person rating, whereas Ben Bamber’s strive was additionally a magnificence after wonderful build-up play.
The large names stepped up for Sale. Courtney Lawes seemed his outdated self within the lineout and on the ground, whereas Tom Curry was magnificent within the type of bodily scrap he relishes. George Ford managed the sport superbly within the closing levels.
Sarries director of rugby turned wine guide turned technical director Brendan Venter once more handed media duties over to go coach Joe Shaw post-match, however he’ll discuss this week in a bid to keep away from additional sanctions from Prem Rugby.
Saracens: Daly; J Bracken, Tompkins, Va’enuku, Segun; Burke, Williams; Mawi, Dan, Avenue, Itoje (c), Tizard, Isiekwe, Gonzalez, Barbeary.
Replacements: Clarke, O’Driscoll, Clarey, Martin, Michelow, Earl, C Bracken, Malins.
Sale: Carpenter; O’Flaherty, Marchant, Lozowski, Reed; Ford, Warr; Smith, Jibulu, Opoku-Fordjour, Van Rhyn (c), Bamber, Lawes, Curry, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Caine, McIntyre, Francis, Tshiunza, Canakaivata, Hanson, Louw, Loganimasi.
Sin-bin: Lozowski (11)
Purple card: Vermeulen (18)
Referee: Joe James.
