Sale Sharks 36 - 36 Saracens

Credit: Hannah McEnaney

Apologies for the paucity of this week's match report. Normal service will resume next week. Meanwhile continuing sending your questions in for this week's Feeding Time mailbag.

Some abridged thoughts from Sale's 36-36 draw with Saracens on Saturday:

• Outstanding step from Will Addison to get past  to set up Sam James' try. Always love to see backline players backing themselves to beat their defender. More of that please.
• Speaking of players backing themselves, Tom Arscott had a superb outing on Saturday to remind the Sale coaching staff of his credentials having been dropped in recent weeks in favour of Nev Edwards. Great dummy and hand-off to escape Ben Ransom for his first, and a clutch finish to bring the game level in the final minute. 103 metres made, three clean breaks and three defenders beaten is quite the stat sheet.
• Although Sale gifted Saracens two of their tries, its worth considering the luck element that allowed Saracens to capitalise. After all how many times have we seen a player like Ellery attempt the last-ditch interception in order to prevent a try and be sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on. Sale were also unlucky to concede Chris Wyles' second try, a score that should have been ruled in touch. The Sharks themselves however were incredibly fortuitous in scoring a couple of their tries against Exeter two weeks ago, so we must remember that luck is a random element that has benefitted Sale just as much as it has hindered them.  
• Considering how deflating it must have been to concede said three tries, Sale did well to come back and get something out of the game. Sharks of year's past would have folded after Ellery's score and got nothing. Instead they ended up with three points and were a kick away from a bonus point win. 
• 4/8 kicking for Cipriani taking him to only 10/27 in his last four games. Rugby is a team game and in truth Cipriani rebounded nicely from a tough match in Worcester last week, but its hard to overlook the fact Sale would have gained another two points if he'd made even one of his four misses. With such a tight league this season, every point counts.
• One last point on Cipriani. His 80m chase down of Mike Ellery (even if ultimately unsuccessful) isn't indicative of a player who has already mentally packed his bags for Wasps.  Great to see.
• Great to have TJ Ioane back after compassionate leave. Sale are a different side with him in the lineup.
• Andrei Ostrikov had a nice game; 15 tackles, none missed, and his off-load was crucial in keeping the ball alive for Arscott's first try.

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