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This match was billed as a shootout for a playoff place, which was only a slight exaggeration, and Sale won emphatically to leapfrog Bristol and take a huge stride towards confirming a top-four finish.
Alex Sanderson’s men are formidable on home soil and a bonus-point success, orchestrated by another masterly display from George Ford, gave them a 26th win from 29 Premiership games in Salford dating back to the start of the 2022- 23 campaign. It was no less than Sale deserved, such was the energy and effervescence of their display in running in five tries past one of their closest rivals, who claimed a potentially priceless losing bonus point late on.
Sale travel to Exeter in their final game knowing a win will put them in the playoffs for the third consecutive season, while Bristol host Harlequins in a fortnight with their top-four hopes more in the balance.
“I still have nightmares about going to Exeter three or four years ago when I first signed for Sale and being 19-0 up but ending up losing the game,” said Sanderson. “I’m already pumped and excited for it. I’ve just got to keep a lid on it.”
Sale were missing their two British & Irish Lions inclusions, Tom Curry and Luke Cowan-Dickie, through injury, while Bristol named their sole member of Andy Farrell’s squad, Ellis Genge, on the bench.
Sale, inspired by Ford’s artful handling and intelligent kicking, led when Dan du Preez finished a well-worked move, touching down inside the right-hand channel after fine work from Rob du Preez and Ben Curry.
Bristol, who barely ventured beyond Sale’s 22-metre line during the first half, replied almost out of nowhere when the in-form Harry Randall impishly dummied his way past two Sale defenders to score.
Yet the momentum remained with Sale and, as chances continued to come close to Bristol’s line, Tadgh McElroy showed impressive strength to force his way over from close range for their second try.
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Ford added his second conversion to help Sale into a 20-5 interval lead. After the break, Bristol fashioned an impressive response and scored twice through Viliame Mata and Siva Naulago. Sale, though, claimed three second-half tries themselves to run out handsome victors.
Scores from Jonny Hill, Rekeiti Ma’asi-White and Raffi Quirke confirmed an important win, a victory for Sale’s spirit as Hill and Ma’asi-White typified their collective desire.
Quirke, the England scrum-half, reminded everyone of his quality by scything clear for their fifth, while Bristol scored late on through Harry Byrne and Kalaveti Ravouvou. Their coach, Pat Lam, said: “The bonus point was pleasing but Ford produced a masterclass – he’s on fire at the moment.”
