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It is winner-takes-all at the AJ Bell Stadium where Sale Sharks and Newport Gwent Dragons know only too well the importance of not just qualifying for the quarter-finals but securing home advantage in the knock-out tie. - 20/01/2016 09:55
It is winner-takes-all at the AJ Bell Stadium where Sale Sharks and Newport Gwent Dragons know only too well the importance of not just qualifying for the quarter-finals but securing home advantage in the knock-out tie.
Sharks have won their last four games since losing on the opening weekend to the Dragons at Rodney Parade.
And avenging that defeat will see them top Pool 2 and guarantee they remain in Salford for the next round.
But Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond is ready for a close encounter. He said: “My ambition is to get this competition won on Thursday.
“We know that the Dragons have been the most consistent side of the group, and they are similar to us in their style of rugby. They are abrasive, so we’ve got to put in a good performance and win.
“If we can pull the win off, which will be hard work, it will be a feather in the cap for the squad. I’m delighted to be where we are after going away and winning two games in France.”
Sale are without David Seymour and TJ Ioane through injury but England newcomer Josh Beaumont could face a tantalising pre-Six Nations clash with Wales and British & Irish Lions No8 Taulupe Faletau.
Dragons are already through and beat Sale 30-12 in November though are without injured fly-half Dorian Jones who scored ten points that evening.
However Wales wing Hallam Amos announced his return from injury last week with a try inside the opening minute against Castres.
Head coach and former Sale boss Kingsley Jones said: “We saw last season how important home advantage is in the quarter-finals so that is the aim for us.
“We are going to Sale with everything to gain and little to lose so we can play with ambition. Sale have been so consistent in recent years but there’s something about this tournament that seems to bring the best out of our players.”
Match Facts
- Sale Sharks have won eight of their 10 matches against teams from Wales in the Challenge Cup, though they lost their last clash 30-12.
- That defeat was their first encounter with Newport Gwent Dragons, while their other loss to Welsh opposition came against Newport RFC in 1997.
- Newport Gwent Dragons have won five of their last seven matches away from home in the Challenge Cup.
- Newport Gwent Dragons have won their last two matches against English opposition in the Challenge Cup and are enjoying their only ever streak of victories against teams from that nation.
En embuscade pendant toute la phase de poules
Sale Sharks secured a home tie in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup with a comfortable win over Newport Gwent Dragons.
The Sharks topped Pool 2 after leaping ahead of previous leaders Dragons with five tries at the AJ Bell Stadium.
And that could even set-up a repeat match in the quarter-finals against the Dragons, who are already secured a place in the last eight as runners-up.
Brian Mujati, Josh Beaumont, Nev Edwards and Mike Haley all crossed as the 2002 and 2005 tournament champions avenged their 30-12 loss at Rodney Parade in Round 1. A quiet opening was broken by a yellow card to the Dragons’ Wales wing Hallam Amos who was ruled to have deliberately knocked Edwards’ pass to ground.
And that decision was to cost the Dragons dearly as Cipriani turned the screw. The fly-half kicked the immediate penalty and then provided the pass that beat three defenders for Mujati to thunder over for a try on 14 minutes.
Mujati was then part of a Sharks front-row that had the upper hand in the scrum and ground out a penalty try that Cipriani converted. Dragons trailed 17-0 by the time Amos returned but the wing prevented Sale extending that when by preventing Haley grounding the ball over the line.
Sale were denied again from the resulting scrum when centre Sam James barged through, only to lose control of the ball. But skipper Beaumont made sure moments later when the England newcomer smashed through, with the help of Johnny Leota, for Sale’s third try on the stroke of half-time.
Sharks needed just eight minutes of the second half to clinch the bonus point. Beaumont’s initial burst was followed by Cipriani who collected his own kick before releasing wing Edwards for the corner.
Cipriani converted from the touchline and then made way, with his work done, at 31-0. Dragons registered on the scoreboard on the hour with a well-worked try for Ashton Hewitt after Adam Hughes’ break.
But Sale had the last say when Haley crossed late for the fifth try, converted by Joe Ford, and they can now look forward to hosting one of the three best runners-up in the last eight in April.
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