Cipriani makes case for starring role with vital cameo

The Sharks were staring at a seventh consecutive defeat when they trailed 27-12 to the Blues at the City of Salford Stadium, but the introduction of Cipriani after 49 minutes sparked a dramatic transformation.

Cipriani scored one try and helped create another for debutant winger Mark Jennings to bring Sale right back into contention.

And after Cardiff replacement Lewis Jones was sin-binned with seven minutes to go, they struck the winning blow through prop Tony Buckley.

“It’s something we’ve been longing for,” said Cipriani, who joined the Sharks from Melbourne Rebels in the summer. “We had to give the fans something to cheer about and we did.

“I enjoyed it. It was good fun. I think the boys were playing pretty well before I came on so it was seamless to fit in there.”

Northampton boss Jim Mallinder hailed his team’s composure after they fought back from a 15-point deficit to topple Heineken Cup opponents Glasgow at Franklin’s Gardens.

A Pool Four shock looked likely when Glasgow raced into a 15-0 lead courtesy of tries by flanker Josh Strauss and wing Sean Lamont. But Northampton recovered to score three tries either side of half-time – George Pisi (2) and Stephen Myler the beneficiaries – before wing Vasily Artemyev’s late score secured a 24-15 result and an unlikely winning bonus point.

“It could have gone a different way, and what you cannot do is underestimate sides in the Heineken Cup. We didn’t do that – Glasgow are a quality team,” said Mallinder.

“They have a big heavy pack with a back-row that gets around the field and backs that can take their chances.

“We were under a bit of pressure, but what was pleasing was the way we came back and kept our composure. In the second half, we controlled the game.”

Two-time champions Leicester could not pick up a point from Toulouse after defeat in the south of France. The Tigers were only 11-9 behind at the break but the kicking prowess of Luke McAlister won the day for the home side, with centre’s Gael Fickou’s first half try the only of the game.

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O’Shea revealed Nick Evans will be out for “weeks rather than months” with the ankle injury sustained the 40-13 victory over Biarritz.

Evans, the English champions’ chief playmaker, limped off after 17 minutes with his left ankle heavily strapped and was later walking on crutches. “Nick will have his foot in a boot for a little while and we’ll see what it’s like,” said O’Shea. “There’s no break but there’s a little bit of damage. We need to wait 24-48 hours and get it scanned.”

Charlie Hodgson led the way with a 25-point haul as Saracens launched their campaign by dismantling Edinburgh 45-0 at Murrayfield. Hodgson scored one of five tries – Joel Tomkins, Owen Farrell, Chris Ashton and Alex Goode the others – and booted 20 points as Edinburgh were completely outclassed.