LV= Cup: Danny Cipriani starred as Sale Sharks beat Scarlets 36-17

Danny Cipriani starred for the Aviva Premiership outfit as he contributed a try, four penalties and a couple of conversions to finish with 21 points.

Richie Vernon, Charlie Amesbury and Charlie Ingall also touched down for the Sharks who were forced to fight back from 14-3 down after an enterprising start from their Welsh visitors.

Andy Fenby and Gareth Davies had scored tries within the first 20 minutes to put Scarlets in control, but a lack of discipline would ultimately cost them as both Jake Ball and Rhodri Jones were sin-binned.

Fenby opened the scoring on four minutes, kicking ahead and collecting to claim an opportunist try converted by Owen Williams after Cipriani had sloppily fumbled a bouncing ball in his own half.

The England international reduced the deficit with his first penalty, but seven minutes later Scarlets roared further ahead as Williams collected his own up-and-under and stepped out of a tackle before releasing Davies who shrugged off Cameron Shepherd to finish well in the corner.

Levelled the scores

Williams added the conversion, but Cipriani then kicked two quick-fire penalties and, after Ball had seen yellow for a deliberate knock-on, Vernon drove over from close range for a try awarded by the video referee that tied the scores at 14-14.

Sale moved ahead on the stroke of half-time after the ball was spun quickly through the hands of the back division from right to left, allowing Amesbury to dive over in the corner for a try superbly converted by Cipriani.

Williams and Cipriani traded penalties in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, but the Sale No 10 was off target with another attempt after Jones had been binned for not rolling away.

However, Cipriani made amends moments later, all but killing the contest as he waltzed through a gaping hole in the Scarlets defence to dive over next to the posts before converting.

The hosts put a real gloss on the scoreline and secured their bonus point six minutes from time, as replacement Ingall powered over from close range to touch down for his side's fourth try.