Opposition view: Diamond satisfied after Sale see off 'massive team' Saints

Diamond's side secured a 32-23 success, showing a clinical edge as they scored four times in a game which saw Saints enjoy plenty of territory and possession.

But Chris Boyd's men were eventually left deflated as they were unable to take anything from Friday night's clash, despite tries from Tom Collins and Piers Francis.

Saints had come back from 17-0 and 29-13 down to pull back to just six points behind with six minutes remaining.

But a failure to exit from a kick-off cost them a penalty, which Rob du Preez slotted to put the seal on the Sale success.

And Diamond said: “I thought we came out of the blocks pretty well.

“We worked on cooling their enthusiasm because everyone’s making a fresh start and they are a massive team.

"I think we did that really well and we raced into a lead, but we couldn’t build on it.

“There is plenty to work on moving forward.

"There is a little bit of frustration, but I’m not too harsh on them. It’s their first run-out and we haven’t been able to do too much contact under the Covid regulations.

“We have got to be chuffed with five points, but we have got to be better to challenge the top four.”