‘We would have beaten Biarritz at Edgeley Park,’ claims Saint-Andre

Biarritz 11 Sale 6

The Sharks crashed out of the tournament with a lifeless 11-6 defeat in what will be viewed as huge missed opportunity, given Biarritz’s limitations.

With just a try separating the teams, Saint-Andre felt Sale would have triumphed had their French opponents not played in front of 32,000 noisy fans at the Estadio Anoeta.

“Biarritz were extremely well organised in defence and didn’t give us any room. But home advantage won them the game. I think we would have won at Edgeley Park.

“I’m very proud of the players. We weren’t clinical and missed a few tackles, but the match was like an international.”

Saint-Andre hinted he was not happy with the performance of referee Alan Lewis and admitted Sale, playing in the Heineken Cup knockout stages for the first time, were not as street-wise at their opponents.

“There were a lot of 50-50 calls but nothing for us. I need to watch the video but I don’t want to criticise the referee,” he said.

Fiji winger Sireli Bobo claimed the only try of the match, with France scrum-half Yachvili kicking the rest of Biarritz’s points, while Sale could only muster two Charlie Hodgson penalties. Biarritz will now host Bath in the semi-finals in three weeks’ time and Saint-Andre believes Sale’s performance underlines the strength of the Guinness Premiership.

“For anyone who criticises the Premiership, we showed that we’re as good away as the best French team is at home,” he said.

Biarritz scorers: Tries: Bobo. Pens: Yachvili 2.

BIARRITZ: Brusque, Gobelet, Bidabe, Traille, Bobo, Peyrelongue, Yachvili, Balan, August, Johnson, Thion, Couzinet, Betsen, Harinordoquy, Lievremont.

Replacements: Martin Arramburu for Bidabe (76), Lecouls for Johnson (55), Olibeau for Couzinet (56), Dusautoir for Lievremont (28).

Sale scorers: Pens: Hodgson 2.

SALE: Larrechea, Cueto, Taylor, Seveali’i, Robinson, Hodgson, Martens, Coutts, Bruno, Turner, Lobbe, Schofield, White, Lund, C. Jones.

Replacements: Hanley for Larrechea (46), Courrent for Cueto (71), Wigglesworth for Martens (59), Titterrell for Bruno (59), Stewart for Turner (59), Day for Lobbe (47).

Ref: A Lewis (Ireland).