Sale Sharks scored six tries as they battered a much-changed Bristol Bears 40-7 at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts had the bonus-point secured before the break with fullback Luke James, winger Denny Solomona, scrum-half Faf de Klerk, and centre Sam James all crossing the whitewash.
Bristol winger Alapati Leiua got one back for the visitors, but it did little to improve the scoreline with Sale leading 26-7 at half-time.
A second for Luke James after the restart before Marland Yarde raced over completed the try-scoring for Sale.
Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks): Kicked, chased, tackled. The scrum-half was supreme for the Sharks and he was everywhere. It was the type of performance we’ve come to expect from one of the world’s best.
BEST PLAYERS:
Luke James (Sale Sharks): One of the stars of the restart. The 21-year-old fullback made it five tries in four games with another brace today, proving once again he is a fantastic finisher.
Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks): He may have been pulled off before the break with midweek fixtures in mind, yet he was box-office while on the pitch. 97 metres from just six carries, which included a try and an assist, summed up a wonderful performance.
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks): The flanker was outstanding again. He’s been a totem for the Sharks in 2020 and put the Bears under pressure until his departure shortly after the hour. It's time for him to be in the England squad alongside his brother...the pair or tackling/turnover machines.
AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks): Controlled the game superbly along with his half-back colleague. 10 points in the game and 10 tackles in defence, the USA international is one of the best defencive number 10's in the Premiership. Sale just look like a much better team with him in it.
UNDERPERFORMERS:
Ben Earl (Bristol Bears): The England back-rower looked tired from the very start. He was always a willing running, making 12 carries, but only managed to get over the gainline twice. The 22-year-old was bullied by the Curry twins before being withdrawn after 50 minutes.
Sale vs Bristol Bears player ratings
Sale Sharks: L. James 8; Solomona 8, S James 7, Tuilagi 7, Yarde 7.5; MacGinty 7.5, De Klerk 9; Harrison 7, Van der Merwe 7.5, Oosthuizen 6.5, J-L. du Preez 6, De Jager 7, T. Curry 7.5, B. Curry 7.5, D. du Preez 8
Replacements: Langdon 6, Morozov 6, John 6, Postlethwaite 5, Ross 6, Cliff 5, Janse van Rensburg 6, Reed 5
Bristol Bears: Malins 6; Leiua 6, O'Conor 5, S Piutau 5, Bates 5; Eden 5, Uren 6; Woolmore 5, Capon 7, Thomas 5, Holmes 6, Joyce 6, Dun 6, Heenan 5, Earl 5
GALLERY | Female rugby players start online campaign after being snubbed for models
The launch of Ireland Rugby’s bespoke women's kit this sparked an online movement of empowering images and celebrating women in rugby.
It all began with the launch of Ireland Rugby’s bespoke women’s jersey, however, the promotional images did not featuring any members of their women’s team, instead using models.
Wasps Ladies player, Florence Williams took to twitter to raise her concern about the launch of the kit.
Shortly after, women and girls from grass-roots to international level flooded social media with empowering images of themselves in their rugby kit, along with #IAmEnough.
I’ve spent over half my life playing this sport and I love it. However, years over battling stereotypes is grating and frustrating. However, the way the community of women’s rugby have pulled together these past few days is incredible. #IAmEnough
#IAMENOUGH
We can wear boots and we can wear heels.
We can wear mud and we can wear make up.
We can wear our team strips proudly and we can wear a dress.
We can be strong, we can be fast and we can work as a team.
Rugby is an inclusive sport, how people look is irrelevant!
#IAmEnough
Stereotyping in women’s sport is at the forefront again after Irish Rugby & Canterbury used models to launch the women’s kit.
It’s time to break the stigma & inspire the next generation. We can be feminine as well as strong & powerful. Role models are real models.
Some of the most beautiful women I know are also very talented rugby players - ignorant stereotyping is preventing too many young girls from living their best life #Iamenough
Can all women, no matter what sport you play post a picture of yourself playing your sport, next to a picture of your non-sporty self. Using #wedontneedmodels#breakthestereotype#IAmEnough
#IAmEnough#irishrugby
I am feminine.
I am strong.
I am powerful.
I am a role model.
I am muscular.
I am beautiful.
I am an athlete.
I am an inspiration.
I am the best model for my kit.
I have #ichthyosis
I am a rugby referee from Hong Kong.