Monday 13 October 2014 10:55, UK
Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond was too angry to do his post-match press conference after watching his side succumb to a six-try thrashing at the hands of champions Northampton.
American number eight Samu Manoa scored a hat-trick, while brothers George and Ken Pisi also dotted down, with fellow Samoan Kahn Fotuali'i scoring the final try in the Premiership rout at Franklin's Gardens.
Mark Jennings finished off a 60m move for Sale, but Diamond was furious with his side's display leaving the club's spokesman to reveal he would not be attending the press conference as there were no positives to take from the game.
In contrast Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder was delighted with his side's display.
We were pretty ruthless in attack and there were two moments of magic by Ken Pisi, to score that first try and then he caught a good kick from Stephen Myler and set-up his brother George.
"We were pretty ruthless in attack and there were two moments of magic by Ken Pisi, to score that first try and then he caught a good kick from Stephen Myler and set-up his brother George,'' said Mallinder.
"The forwards then got on top of them in the second half and gave us three tries. The defence was really good today, we could have easily have let in a few more tries, but the attitude was really good to keep them out at the end.
"Ken has been a great signing for us, he was playing sevens when we signed him and he had not played a lot of 15s, but we have seen his game progress. He has put on a bit of timber over the summer and I think we are seeing the results of that. He has been outstanding this year, we have seen a massive improvement.
"Samu has been a revelation for us since we signed him. They probably were not the longest tries he has scored, but he has been fantastic for us.''
Northampton eased to victory despite leaving England hooker Dylan Hartley and Lions winger George North on the bench.
"We rotated the team a little bit today and Tom Wood and Dylan got to play parts of the game so that was good,'' said Mallinder.
"We want to play all our squad and keep everyone fresh, but those players want to play in front of the Gardens faithful.''
And after an injury-hit season last term Mallinder believes Ben Foden is getting back to his best.
He added: "He is playing well, Fodes. Over the last two or three weeks he has really come back to some form, I have been really pleased with his play. (England coach) Stuart (Lancaster) has some interesting decisions to make in that position.
"You saw a mature performance from Fodes today, he ran the ball back hard when he needed to, and his kicking game was very good today.''
