Philippe Saint Andre has hailed Sale's character after they toppled Harlequins 23-16 to move back into the play-off places.
Sale chief thrilled as his side move back into the play-offs
Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint Andre has hailed his side's character after they toppled Harlequins 23-16 to move back into the play-off places.
Sale were reduced to 13 men at one point in the second half as Andrew Sheridan and Juan Fernandez Lobbe were both in the sin-bin.
However 13 points from Charlie Hodgson and tries from Richard Wigglesworth and Andy Vilk were enough to see the side move into the top four.
And Saint Andre was full of praise for the way his side has performed in the crucial games.
"We deserved to win. We were 12 points in front at one point and had we scored once more the game was over," he said.
"We showed some poor discipline with the sin binnings and it's never easy to play with 13 players.
"We showed the character we needed because it's never easy to come to a top-four side and win. To do so with 13 men at one stage is fantastic.
"Now we are sure to finish in the top five and because of that we have qualified for the Heineken Cup, which is brilliant.
"If we beat London Irish next weekend then we will be in the semi-finals. Our destiny is still in our own hands and that is very pleasing.
Superb
"My players showed that they are fantastic in big games. Jason White and Sebastien Chabal were superb."
Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards believes that the greater experience of the Sale team was crucial difference.
But despite the defeat denting their play-off hopes, Richards has confidence in his side's abilities.
He said: "I looked at the Sale team before the match and felt that on paper it didn't look a bad side.
"They had a lot more experience than us and I hoped that wouldn't prove crucial, but in the end it was the difference between us.
"Our average age is 23 and a half so this team has a brilliant future. Our pack stood up to them very well.
"We haven't given up on the top four but we're not focusing on it too closely. We're still in with a shout.
"We'll look at the options open to us but it's more about personal pride and improving."
