Sale director of rugby Kingsley Jones blamed poor discipline for missing out on the chance to beat Toulouse.
Sharks boss unhappy with discipline as Sale lose out on Europe
Sale director of rugby Kingsley Jones blamed poor discipline for missing out on the chance to beat Toulouse at Edgeley Park and thereby ending their European involvement this season.
The Sharks lost 19-13 as Toulouse claimed a home quarter-final in the Heineken Cup while the home side tumbled out of Europe altogether after missing out on an Amlin Challenge Cup slot.
Needing at least a win if they were to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the second-tier of European rugby, the Sharks' defeat saw group rivals Cardiff Blues advance courtesy of their 45-20 victory at Harlequins.
Sale did not help themselves as they were forced to play 20 minutes of the game with 14 men, after number eight Sisa Koyamaibole and second row Chris Jones were sin-binned during the first half.
"I have no qualms about Sisa's yellow card," he said. "I thought Chris Jones' card was a bit harsh, but we need to play the game on the edge but not over the edge.
Weakness
"It cost us today, to play 20 minutes against a great side like Toulouse means they are going to find a weakness.
"That 10 minutes just after half-time killed us. That's what Toulouse can do to you and we have a lot to learn."
Jones felt he could take plenty of positives from his side's performance against the three-time European champions
"There were lots of positives although ultimately we are disappointed," he added. "I felt in the last 10 minutes we might have a good chance of victory.
"We also started brightly and looked good at the tackle area, but discipline let us down. Alain Rolland is a fine referee and we have to learn to manage referees better in this competition, although I felt he didn't give us a lot in the second half.
"Having said that, we scored a good try and got in some good areas."
The former Wales captain also believes Toulouse are favourites to go on and lift the Heineken Cup in Paris in May.
"Toulouse have to be favourites with a home quarter-final and a final in Paris. They certainly have the squad to be able to win this."
