ALEX Sanderson insists Sale Sharks remain a major force in the Premiership narrative, even if this defeat pushed them further from the play-off picture.
“We’re not going to throw the towel in – we’re going to go out swinging,” the Sale DoR said. “We’re going to affect who finishes in that top four, and we’re going to finish as high up the league as we can.
“I’m disappointed with the result, you don’t come all this way just to make up the numbers. But I’m very happy with many aspects of the game. We didn’t capitulate, and that’s a really good sign of the health and tightness of the squad.”
Crucially, Sale’s reinforcements are on the way. A clutch of internationals are set to return for next week’s home clash with Bath, followed by a Champions Cup showdown with Harlequins.
“I’ve been here and been handed tougher defeats than this and it’s been a miserable ride home,” he said. “I don’t see that being the case this time.”
TEAMS
EXETER: Woodburn 7; Brown-Bampoe 7; Slade 6, Rigg 6, Ridl 7; Skinner 6, Varney 7; Sio 6 (Goodrick-Clarke 47, 7), Yeandle 7 (Heaven 66), Tchumbadze 6 (J Roots 47, 7), Jenkins 7 (c), Zambonin 7, Hooper 8, Vintcent 7 (Worley-Brady 79), Fisilau 6 Not used: Pearson, Cairns, Haydon-Wood, D John
SALE: Carpenter 7; O’Flaherty 6 (Wills 65), Louw 6 (Davies 55, 6), Ma’asi-White 7, Reed 6; R du Preez 6, Quirke 6 (Warr 65); McIntyre 6 (McEachran 55, 6), Jibulu 7 (Caine 61) Harper 6 (WG John 50, 6), van Rhyn 7 (c), Bamber 6 (Gilmore 70), Vermeulen 7, Dugdale 7 (Logan 75), D du Preez 7
REFEREE: Anthony Woodthorpe
ATTENDANCE: 9,007
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