Rugby round-up: Sale secure place in Europe as Danny Cipriani looks to impress

Sale secured sixth place in the Premiership and guaranteed a spot in next season’s European Rugby Champions Cup with an emphatic first victory at Sandy Park, beating Exeter 55-12 yesterday.

The Sharks built a 19-7 half-time lead thanks to two tries in two minutes approaching the half-hour mark, from Tom Arscott and Sam Tuitupou, which added to an earlier score from Michael Paterson.

England backs coach Andy Farrell was present to cast his eyes over Sale fly-half Danny Cipriani (pictured) ahead of the three-Test summer tour of New Zealand.

Cipriani added two of his three first-half conversion attempts – the other hit the upright – but Exeter finally troubled the scoreboard just before the break with a try from Fetu’u Vainikolo.

The Sharks dominated the second half with a second try from Tuitupou and one each from Dwayne Peel, Dave Seymour, Tom Brady and Russia international second row Andrei Ostrikov.

Cipriani added two conversions, with his replacement, Joe Ford, also landing a drop-goal and two conversions. Exeter’s only reply in a very poor display came late in the half through Carl Rimmer.