Redpath says sorry for Sale surrender as Exiles start to feel at home

Sale 19 london Welsh 29

Danny Cipriani kicked three penalties for Sale but was taken off (Getty Images)

Bryan Redpath, the Sale Sharks director of rugby, criticised his team's performance after their latest defeat to London Welsh last night.

It was Sale's fourth consecutive loss and, even at this stage of the season, severely dented their chances of making the top six. Despite fighting back from 26-9 down and getting to within seven points, the Sharks could not force a result, much to the unhappiness of Redpath.

"There weren't any plus marks really as most of our game wasn't up to speed," he said. "You can't hide behind that performance tonight because, as a group, it wasn't good enough.

"It let a lot of people down that came along tonight. We need to find out why, but there's not many answers coming out at the moment.

"I can understand the frustration and accept it, but we have to take that responsibility when the fans booed us off the pitch and that is something we obviously never want to happen again.

"I apologise to every Sale supporter. They pay good money to watch and I will be doing my utmost to rectify that."

The Exiles secured their second Premiership victory in five days to the surprise of head coach Lyn Jones. Gordon Ross kicked 19 points while Jon Mills and Ed Jackson went over to defy the critics who wrote them off at the start of the season.

Jones said: "Compared to the first two weeks, are we surprised? Yes, you've got to be, haven't you? But the more you play like this, the less surprised you get. We got caught with our pants well down against Leicester and Quins, but we've learnt and we've come back."

Sale: Miller; Brady, Leota, Tuitupou, Cueto; Cipriani (MacLeod, 52), Peel (Cliff, 65); Roberts (Harrison, 78), Ward, Cobilas (Buckley, 53), Gray, Myall (McKenzie, 60), Easter (Vernon, 71), Seymour, Powell. Substitutes not used: Taylor, Uys.

London Welsh: Arscott; Mackenzie (Jewell, 70), Parker, Tonga'uiha, Scott; Ross, Keats (Runciman, 75); Montanella (Bristow, 65), Briggs, Ion (Jolly, 67), Mills (Kulemin, 45), Corker, Browne, Hills (Williamson, 65), Jackson. Substitutes not used: George, Davis. Referee: A Small (RFU)