Match Centre: Investec Champions Cup: Sale Sharks 29-7 Racing 92

Tom Roebuck was one of the try scorer for Sale Sharks
Tom Roebuck was one of the try scorer for Sale Sharks
©Steve Haag

Sale Sharks 29-7 Racing 92, Salford Community Stadium

Sale Sharks delivered a commanding performance to claim a 29-7 bonus-point win over Racing 92 in the Champions Cup, bouncing back strongly after their opening-round defeat to Glasgow Warriors.

The match at the AJ Bell Stadium highlighted Sale's renewed defensive grit under the guidance of new defence coach Byron McGuigan, as the visitors were restricted to just one try throughout the encounter.

The first half saw Sale’s resolute defence hold Racing at bay for 15 minutes before flanker Jean-Luc du Preez powered over from close range to open the scoring.

Tom Roebuck followed shortly after, benefiting from an excellent combination between Rob du Preez and George Ford, which created space for Joe Carpenter to set him up for a wide finish.

Racing managed to respond just before halftime when Cameron Woki’s powerful carry set up Guram Gogichashvili for a try, narrowing the gap to 12-7 at the break.

Sale ramped up the intensity in the second half, starving Racing of territory and forcing errors. Roebuck’s aerial brilliance set the stage for Carpenter to score, extending the lead.

Captain Ben Curry secured the all-important bonus point with a pick-and-go try, capitalizing on Racing’s reduced numbers after Maxime Baudonne’s yellow card for collapsing a maul.

The victory not only preserves Sale’s undefeated home record in 2023 but also marks a significant step forward in their Champions Cup campaign.

Team line up:

Sale: Carpenter; Roebuck, R du Preez, James, O'Flaherty; Ford, Warr; Rodd, Cowan-Dickie, Harper, Bamber, Hill, JL du Preez, B Curry (capt), D du Preez.

Reserves: McElroy, McIntyre, John, Beaumont, Dugdale, Quirke, Nayacalevu, Wills.

Racing 92: Tedder, Arundell, James, Chavancy, Spring; Lancaster, Le Garrec; Gogichashvili, Chat, Sordoni, Kpoku, Rowlands, Woki (capt), Baudonne, Dayimani.

Reserves: Escobar, Julien, Kharaishvili, Sanconnie, Diallo, Le Bail, Gibert, Naituvi.

 
 
 
 

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