Sale Sharks 32 Northampton Saints 23: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings

It may have been their fifth successive Premiership defeat on Sale territory, but with six minutes to go, it looked like that barren run could finally come to an end.

Saints, to their immense credit, had not just continued to cling to the coattails of the Sharks, they threatened to nudge ahead.

When Harry Mallinder, making his long-awaited and hugely welcome return from injury, notched a penalty, Saints had real hope.

They were suddenly just six points down, having stared down the barrel at 17-0 and 29-13 behind.

But a failure to exit from kick-off not only cost them a victory chance, it also cost them the opportunity to take a losing bonus point from a hard-fought encounter.

Individual errors and collective defensive struggles again proved so costly, as was so often the case when they lost 13 of the final 14 games they played last season.

But this was much better than during that sobering streak.

While Saints were physically dominated by a South Africa-influenced Sale at Franklin’s Gardens in September, here at the start of a new season but still less than two months since that last meeting, they stood up to the task.

They more than matched the Sharks at the scrum and they swam against the tide to score from a first-half maul.

But the most pleasing thing of all was the sheer belief they showed.

At 17-0 down after just 20 minutes, there were real fears from fans that the side would simply sink.

Was the confidence there to come back into it?

It was.

The presence of fit-again, experienced forwards like Alex Waller and Tom Wood was evident.

And Saints kept going until the end, which proved to be a real bitter one as they eventually saw their hopes of bringing back the winning feeling stolen away.

But if they can play with this strength and self-confidence against Harlequins next Saturday, they can finally lift some of the clouds from above the empty home stadium.

Defensively, there is still so much work to do.

But at least the belief seems to have reappeared, and that is the first building block on which to restore a team that, let’s not forget, were top of the table the last time they lost at Sale last December.

How they rated...

GEORGE FURBANK

His tough 2020 continued as he was forced off after failing a HIA. Such a shame for the full-back, who would have been hoping for a fast start this season

AHSEE TUALA

Couldn't really get in the game as Sale shut him down at source, and a couple of tries were scored on his side of the field... 5.5

MATT PROCTOR

The Kiwi centre looks primed for a big season and he is starting to deliver the defensive ability and attacking thrust that Saints brought him in for... 7

PIERS FRANCIS

A big boost for Saints to have this man fit and firing again, and his partnership with Proctor could be profitable. Finished superbly to give Saints some hope late on... 7

TOM COLLINS

Starting to become a maul specialist as he has now scored two tries from that area of the game in as many weeks, but he couldn't get much free ball out wide... 6.5

JAMES GRAYSON

Not an easy night for the fly-half, who tried a lot but saw a few things fail to come off, booting the ball out on the full on a couple of occasions... 5.5

HENRY TAYLOR

Some of his box kicks and other areas of his game didn't really work, but he was a menace at the breakdown, winning two penalties for his team as he did his best Kahn Fotuali'i impression... 6

ALEX WALLER

A strong competitive return for the prop as he gave as good as he got in the scrum and showed real desire in the loose... 6.5

JAMES FISH

Displayed his good handling game on a couple of occasions and was part of a Saints pack that was far from overawed... 6.5

PAUL HILL

Was given a tough task at the scrum as the opposition weren't punished for offences on a couple of occasions, but he did really well to cope and can be proud of his showing... 6.5

ALEX MOON

Carried time and again for Saints, doing his best to make inroads against Sale, and he was always available... 7

API RATUNIYARAWA

Wasn't really able to make his mark on the game overall but didn't let his team down in any way... 6

NICK ISIEKWE

Started in the back row and showcased his power on a couple of occasions, but Sale largely dealt with him well... 6

TOM WOOD - CHRON STAR MAN

Showed no fear despite suffering from a pulmonary embolism earlier in the year and this was a really strong an all-action competitive return... 7

TEIMANA HARRISON

Plenty of the fire and desire you would expect from the No.8, but having been an injury doubt before the game, he was forced off at half-time... 6

Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)

HARRY MALLINDER (for Furbank 7)

Hadn't played for so long but he got into the groove as this game went on and he even slotted a penalty, showing what an asset his boot can be. Great for Saints to have him back... 6

JJ TONKS (for Harrison 40)

Has the potential to be a good player for Saints this season and he popped up here and there with a strong carry or two... 6

ALEX MITCHELL (for Taylor 55)

Added plenty of spark for Saints, lifting the tempo and setting up a try for Francis that gave Saints renewed hope... 6.5