Sale Sharks v Gloucester: Five takeaways as ‘imperious’ George Ford stars in English rugby first

Following a 27-10 victory for Sale Sharks over Gloucester, here are our five takeaways from the Gallagher Prem opener at CorpAcq Stadium on Thursday.

Sale overturned the Cherry and Whites’ 10-5 interval lead to run in three second-half tries and clinch an impressive bonus-point opening-day win.

England winger Tom Roebuck’s try put Sale ahead in the 16th minute but George Skivington’s visitors hit back through Jack Clement’s touchdown on the stroke of half-time.

Yet home debutant Nathan Jibulu’s try levelled matters at 10-10 after Clement had been sin-binned and George Ford’s conversion edged Sale back in front at 12-10.

From there Sale did not look back as Joe Carpenter and Hyron Andrews grabbed late scores to secure the bonus point.

Here, Planet Rugby assesses five key talking points surrounding Sale’s opening-night victory.

Prem Rugby is back – and how we should all raise a glass to that

Okay, so it was clunky for large parts and certainly neither side hit the high notes in the first half. Then again, they were perhaps never likely to, but Sale found their groove after the break and ran out worthy victors.

It was a pleasing night’s work for them and debutant hooker Jibulu enjoyed a fine first touting in a Sale jersey.

The season is up and running and, as the song goes, things can only get better. Or at least it can for Gloucester, who went home empty-handed.

Are the Sharks finally ready to deliver on their promise?

It is getting on for 20 years since Sale last won a major trophy – and not too much has gone right since.

That came in the 2005-06 season when they thumped Leicester at a rain-soaked Twickenham to claim their only Premiership title to date.

Goodness knows how much their wealthy co-owners Simon Orange and Ged Mason have poured into the club since taking over in 2016.

But you’re looking at an eyewatering figure and, as Alex Sanderson admitted on the eve of this season-opener, it is time to start delivering.

They made hard work of this, but ultimately their class told as a powerful second-half display saw them home with a bonus-point win.

Sanderson said: “This was a bit of a statement of intent of our ambition.”

George Ford remains imperious

Whatever Sale go on to achieve this season – and it really is time they won some major silverware – the influence of Ford will surely have a major bearing on their fortunes.

The fly-half reached a century of England caps during the summer tour of Argentina and the USA, becoming only the eighth man in Red Rose history to do so.

He was soon in the thick of things against Gloucester this evening, peppering them with some huge, hanging kicks and sending team-mates through little gaps with neat offloads.

His exquisite pass to Joe Carpenter sent the full-back racing clear for Sale’s third try. It was round one of the season but Ford already looks ready to hit top gear.

Sanderson said post-match: “George was magnificent wasn’t he?

“He just marshalled things in the second half and was exceptional again, but he’s another one who doesn’t get the credit because he’s so good. George is loving his rugby and that shines through.”

Gloucester counterpart Skivington said: “When George smells blood and they got that lead then every ball was getting pinned behind you and he’s pinpoint in that.

“He managed that last 20 minutes extremely well. We did what he wanted to do and he capitalised.”

Sale Sharks v Gloucester: Result, match details, stats, line-ups

Gloucester’s second-half showing a major disappointment

The Cherry and Whites failed to register a single point in the second half and they fell away badly in the final quarter to concede two late tries.

That meant Sale secured a bonus-point and ensured Gloucester headed home empty-handed.

Skivington admitted that gave cause for concern, saying: “I’m obviously a bit gutted after those last 10 minutes.

“Both teams were in the fight but we just can’t fold like we did.

“We looked a bit clumsy and our lack of inches into their 22 was a bit frustrating, so there’s a bit of work for us to do.

“We wanted to get into game and attack and I thought our endeavour was good – I can’t fault that.

“But we had a really poor last 10 minutes, which was a shame because we came away with nothing.”

Thursday night conundrum

This clash marked the first time ever that Gallagher Prem Rugby had been played on a Thursday night, while defending champions Bath travel to Harlequins and Newcastle Red Bulls host Saracens on Friday.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup final – which will see England take on Canada at Twickenham – then comes on Saturday and no Prem Rugby games will be played on that day.

The rest of the league programme from the opening round concludes on Sunday and Sale boss Alex Sanderson said he was not adverse to Thursday night games.

Super League play regularly on Thursdays and Sale attracted a crowd of 6,256 for their curtain-raiser against Gloucester.

Asked for his thoughts on Thursday-might rugby, Sanderson said: “I love it! What’s not to love?

“We’ve got the whole weekend to drink Malbec, but if you lose then it’s a long, dark weekend.

“But we’re going to take the boys into town to the biggest sauna in Europe tomorrow to get the review done. It’s the truth chamber.

“Commercially, is it feasible, can we get enough people through the gates? It looked pretty busy tonight.

“The only issue is the turnaround time if you play from a Saturday to a Thursday it makes it difficult but whatever brings people through the gates to watch some decent rugby.”

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