Boks help Sale power past La Rochelle
CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Sale Sharks had to battle to secure a 25-15 win over a determined La Rochelle in their Pool Two, Round Two encounter at the AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday.
South Africa’s World Cup winner Francois de Klerk made a victorious return to club duty.
De Klerk lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy earlier in the month and featured for 75 minutes, as the English clinched their first win of the campaign to move second in Pool Two behind Exeter – but a point ahead of Glasgow in third place.
The French outfit played the entire second half with just 14 men, after France hooker Pierre Bourgarit was shown a red card for putting his fingers into contact with the eye of the hosts’ flank Tom Curry.
“The red card changed the course of the match,” La Rochelle coach Jono Gibbes said.
“I recognise the squad showed character in the second half, even if they weren’t rewarded for their efforts. We’re disappointed,” he added.
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The hosts dominated early on and scored the first try on six minutes as Francois de Klerk found AJ MacGinty and his pass reached Rohan Janse van Rensburg who crossed with ease.
Vincent Rattez responded shortly after for La Rochelle, sweeping inside and collecting after some slow ball, darting through a gap and scoring at the posts.
MacGinty put Sale ahead with a good penalty kick towards the end of the first half to round off the scoring for the opening 40 minutes, but La Rochelle would be reduced to 14 men as Pierre Bourgarit had a hand in the face of Tom Curry.
Brock James scored the first points of the second half for the visitors with a successful penalty kick, but Sale soon hit back with interest.
The hosts would claim a penalty try as Dany Priso collapsed the maul close to the try line and he was sent to the sin bin as a result.
MacGinty nudged Sale further ahead on 71 minutes as he booted over a three-pointer and they secured victory two minutes later through Chris Ashton, who benefitted from Levani Botia spilling the ball near his own try line, allowing the wing to dot down for his 40th European try.
La Rochelle rounded off the scoring with a delightful try from Jeremy Sinzelle, but it would only prove to be a consolation as Sale took the win in Pool Two.
The French side will take on Glasgow Warriors in Round Three, while Sale Sharks will travel to face Exeter Chiefs.
The scorers:
For Sale Sharks:
Tries: Janse van Rensburg, Ashton, Penalty try
Cons: MacGinty, penalty try does not require a conversion
Pens: MacGinty 2
For La Rochelle:
Tries: Rattez, Sinzelle
Con: James
Pen: James
Yellow cards: Remi Leroux (La Rochelle, 35), Dany Priso (La Rochelle, 45)
Red card: Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle, 37)
Teams:
Sale Sharks: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Denny Solomona, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Robert du Preez, 11 Chris Ashton, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Francois De Klerk, 8 Jono Ross (captain), 7 Tom Curry, 6 Ben Curry, 5 Jean-Luc du Preez, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Ross Harrison.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Valery Morozov, 18 WillGriff John, 19 James Phillips, 20 Matthew Postlewhaite, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Luke James, 23 Marland Yarde.
La Rochelle: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Vincent Rattez, 13 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 12 Jérémy Sinzelle, 11 Arthur Retiere, 10 Brock James, 9 Alexi Bales, 8 Victor Vito (captain), 7 Grégory Alldritt, 6 Kevin Gourdon, 5 Rémi Leroux, 4 Romain Sazy, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Dany Priso.
Replacements: 16 Jean-Charles Orioli, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Zeno Kieft, 20 Wiaan Liebenberg, 21 Tawera Kerr Barlow, 22 Levani Botia, 23 Brieuc Plessis-Couillaud.
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Stuart Gaffkin (Ireland), Paul Hancock (Ireland)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Source: @ChampionsCup
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