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Sale Sharks must complete a French hat-trick to earn a place in the European Rugby Challenge Cup semi-finals. - 04/04/2016 14:09
Sale Sharks must complete a French hat-trick to earn a place in the European Rugby Challenge Cup semi-finals.
Steve Diamond’s side knocked out both Castres Olympique and Pau in the group stage after topping Pool Two. But they face their sternest test to do date in the Challenge Cup against Jake White’s Montpellier, who are second in the French Top 14.
Sale have twice lifted this trophy, in 2002 and 2005, while Montpellier, Shield winners back in 2004, fell at this stage in their last appearance in the Challenge Cup in 2014.
However both sides warmed up for this clash with significant victories in their respective leagues.
Sale ended a ten-year run without a win at London Irish through tries from Mike Haley, TJ Ioane and Danny Cipriani, who proved he is in red-hot form for this quarter-finals with 20 points in the 30-15 win.
Akapusi Qera and Marvin O’Connor both crossed for Montpellier in the 19-3 win over Brive that saw them move ahead of Toulon in the league.
However they have already twice lost on the road in Europe this season, at Harlequins and Cardiff Blues, and face a Sharks side unbeaten at the AJ Bell Stadium this season
“We’ve already had some big wins in this competition, against Pau and Dragons, already and have built some momentum,” said Sale back row man Magnus Lund, European Cup finalist with Biarritz Olympique in 2010.
“The team are going well and I think we have got a great opportunity to do something special here. A lot of people don’t rate us highly but we have got some confidence so if we keep building that and growing it, then we can do something great.”
If they win, Sale will travel to either Gloucester or Newport Gwent Dragons in the semi-final while Montpellier will host either of those sides at the Altrad Stadium as a reward for winning an away quarter-final.
Notes
- Sale Sharks are undefeated in their last three matches against Montpellier in the Challenge Cup (W2, D1), their only loss to the TOP 14 club came in 1997.
- Sale Sharks have won eight of their 11 knockout matches in the Challenge Cup, including three of four against French opposition.
- This is the third appearance in the Challenge Cup knockout stage for Montpellier, however, they have yet to advance to a semi-final.
- Montpellier have won seven of their last eight matches against Aviva Premiership opposition in the Challenge Cup.
- Montpellier beat Calvisano 47-7 in their last away fixture and will be aiming for consecutive away wins for only the third time in their Challenge Cup history.
- Sale conceded the fewest points (78) and tries (9) in the pool stage this season.
- Sale have won their last six matches in the Challenge Cup against clubs from the TOP 14, and a seventh win would equal their longest winning streak against French opposition in the competition, set between 2000 and 2005.
- Sale have conceded just eight points combined in their last two Challenge Cup matches and are aiming to keep their opposition to single figures in three consecutive matches in a season for the first time.
- Sale have allowed their opponents an average of 3.5 clean breaks per game this season, the fewest of any team. Only Harlequins (14.2) have averaged more clean breaks made per game than Montpellier (14).
- Demetri Catrakilis has scored 46 points to date, the fourth most of any player and the most of any player who is yet to score a try this campaign.
Montpellier outmuscled Sale Sharks to kick their way into the European Rugby Challenge Cup semi-finals with a 25-19 triumph at the AJ Bell Stadium. - 08/04/2016 21:32
Montpellier outmuscled Sale Sharks to kick their way into the European Rugby Challenge Cup semi-finals with a 25-19 triumph at the AJ Bell Stadium.
The French heavyweights took a slender, one-point advantage in at half-time after Paul Willemse’ driving score was wiped out by Sale wing Tom Brady. But Jake White’s men turned on the power in the second-period, winning a succession of penalties. Benoit Paillaugue kicked six of them to ensure the victory, before Sam James’ solo score made for a tense finish.
All eyes were on Sale’s star man Danny Cipriani from the off, allowing the England outside-half to bring his powerful ball carrying back-line into action. And after a spell of heavy pressure, the defence were forced to play the ball on the floor, and Cipriani fired the Sharks in-front from the penalty.
But Montpellier struck back immediately. Some slick hands from South African centre Francois Steyn and Australian international Jesse Mogg got Jake White’s men back down into Sharks territory. And when they worked it back to the right hand-side, the towering second-row Willemse was shunted over. Paillaugue converted fora 7-3 lead.
The Montpellier scrum-half added a penalty before the Sharks bit-back through Brady. Some lightning fast hands from Cipriani and Nev Edwards gave the wing the space to dart in at the corner. Cipriani was inches out with his conversion, but landed a penalty to give Sale an 11-10 lead at half-time.
But their advantage was wiped out five minutes into the second-period when Paillaugue landed a penalty from long-range, after the Sale scrum buckled against a powerful drive. And the slight number nine added another tricky shot after Eifion Lewis-Roberts gave a penalty away with his first action of the game.
Flanker Cameron Neild led another promising Sale attack before he produced a deft offload to break through the defensive line. And they could only be stopped illegally by Thibaut Privat, who handled on the floor, and was duly sent to the sin-bin by referee John Lacey. Cipriani stepped up to land another penalty goal to cut the gap to 16-14 after 62 minutes.
But Sale failed to roll away at a ruck a minute later, and Paillaugue restored their five-point lead. Replacement hooker Neil Briggs was also shown yellow to make it 14 vs. 14, and Paillaugue hit another inch perfect penalty to take the game away from the hosts. And he nailed another three-pointer nine minutes from time to send the French side through to the last four.
But there was still time for the irrepressible James to chip ahead and score five minutes from time to give Sale hope.
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