Redpath hails Sale pack performance

Man-of-the-match Bryan Redpath toasted his forwards after Sale Sharks’ bruising 23-22 win over Leinster.

“It’s always physical when you come to Dublin but we expected it,” said Redpath.

“I suppose we got a bit riled up when we read in the match programme that Leinster were going to beat us in the forwards so that definitely fired us up for the win.

“And it proved to be the case as the boys won it for us up front and Charlie (Hodgson) knocked over the drop goal at the end for a sweet ending.

“Obviously Brian O’Driscoll was a big loss to Leinster in the first half but we kept plugging away and playing to our patterns in defence and attack.

“We’ll enjoy the win but have to remain focused ahead of next weekend’s return game at Edgeley Park.”

Leinster coach Gary Ella was quick to point the blame for his side’s loss at a malfunctioning lineout which saw the home side cough up three of their first five throws at Lansdowne Road.

“There were a number of reasons why we lost but I was mainly concerned with the lineout which was always going to make a difference,” the former Australia international said.

“I think we lost more ball at our throws than we won, but we weren’t there in numbers when it counted in the first half and that was critical.”

Asked if his side can still progress in the competition with two away games in their final three fixtures, Ella added: “To get to the semi-finals we knew beforehand that we would have to win the away games, so it makes no difference to us.”

Ella confirmed that O’Driscoll had injured his right hamstring before being taken off after 18 minutes as a precaution.