Tough Start

Not the free-flowing start to the season that we expect from Quins but Sale Sharks had a plan and that earned them  the narrowest of 12-11 wins.

Quinds did score the only try of the game. It came just before the break when Jack Walker was driven over and it looked like they had a second when a driving maul ended up over the Sale line in the second half.

It took ages for the television match official to rule that the ball was held up.

Leigh Halfpenny was immaculate under the high ball, but lost the kicking stakes to George Ford who slotted all of Sharks' points. The new Quins full back unaccustomedly pulling his conversion attempt wel wide of the right upright. Costly as it later proved.

Even the greats have nerves, it seems.