Farrell watches as Sarries lose

Andy Farrell watched on helplessly as Saracens lost a cracker to Sale.

Saracens 32-40 Sale

Guinness Premiership, Vicarage Road, Sunday September 25, KO 3.00pm

Jason Robinson's decision to quit international rugby stole all of the early Sunday headlines, but it was his Sale teammate Elvis Seveali'i who stole the show as the Sharks beat Saracens 40-32.

The game had been billed as a try-fest before the kick-off, and it certainly did not disappoint as both sides played some fine rugby to produce a fantastically entertaining affair.

A brace from Seveali'i, plus tries from Sebastien Chabal and Mark Cueto gave Sale victory, despite the fact that the Sarries hit back with four tries of their own from Kevin Sorrel, Kris Chesney, Adam Powell and Dan Scarbrough.

The home side will be cursing their defensive work as poor tackling cost them dearly on three occasions throughout the afternoon, but there can be no arguing with either side's ability to open up their opponents at will.

The first example of such attacking potency came after 20 minutes, with Sarries' Kevin Sorrell taking the ball at pace to burst through the Sale rearguard.

The visitors were guilty of wasting some glorious opportunities to hit back, particularly when Daniel Larrechea ignored Cueto when the winger was free on the wing.

However, the ever-impressive Charlie Hodgson displayed fine accuracy with the boot to keep his side in contention, and it was no surprise when the visitors finally crossed the line late in the first half.

Seveali'i capitalised on some poor defensive work from the home side to touch down under the posts.

The game was never going to become a lesson in the art of defending, but Saracens showed an astonishing ineptitude at times, and there are few better sides at punishing teams than Phillipe Saint-Andre's Sale.

Chabal was the next to crash his way through some questionable tackling four minutes after half time, before Seveali'i appeared to put the game beyong doubt with a fine solo effort.

To the credit of Steve Diamond's men Saracens did produce a remarkable fight back, through scores from Chesney and Powell, the latter finishing off a fine move attacking move.

However, the inevitable Cueto try was still to come and the England man killed the game off late on to make it eight consecutive try-scoring matches.

There was still time for Scarbrough to continue his impressive start to the season with another score, but the day belonged to Sale.

Saracens: (10) 32
Tries: Sorrell, Chesney, Powell, Scarbrough
Cons: Jackson 3
Pens: Jackson 2

Sale: (16) 40
Tries: Seveali'i 2, Chabal, Cueto
Cons: Hodgson 4
Pens: Hodgson 4