By JON NEWCOMBE

SALE centre Sam James says last Friday’s 15-13 defeat at Newcastle was “the kick up the arse” they needed.
The Sharks came off second-best in the battle of the boot as both sides unashamedly kicked the leather off the ball for 80 minutes.
James’ deft touches in midfield and the finishing prowess of people like Denny Solomona were redundant skills on a night when the Falcons were content to win ugly.
“For us centres and the forwards, it’s just a big shuttle game watching the kicks go overhead, and running back ten metres,” James said. “You then watch another one go over and r...