Champions Cup: Alex Sanderson sings Rob du Preez’s praises after Sale’s win over Ulster

Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson was full of praise for his fly-half, Rob du Preez, after the Springbok played a leading role in his side’s 39-0 Champions Cup victory over Ulster on Sunday.

Du Preez was at the forefront of Sale’s onslaught at the AJ Bell Stadium as he finished with a 14-point haul courtesy of a try, three conversions and a penalty in the Pool B encounter.

Fine performance

The home side were in a rampant mood as they outscored their opponents by six tries to none, with Tom Curry, Dan du Preez, Tom Curtis, Byron McGuigan and Arron Reed crossing for the other five-pointers.

Sanderson was understandably delighted that his side started their Champions Cup campaign with such an emphatic victory and singled his fly-half out for special praise.

“As I said earlier in the season, Rob du Preez and George Ford have been really pushing our attack,” he said after the match.

“I think it’s really helped that Rob has been on fire this season, so he’s making it easier for everyone else.

“We talked in the week about him being captain and that he has got to lead people around him as well.

“He was the one doing most of the talking in the huddles, and he managed the game really well. I thought he carried it well today.

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“I’m very pleased with how we’ve played and everything about the performance. It’s as close as you can get to an international as you can get, so we’re happy.”

Sale’s next match is a tricky assignment against European heavyweights Toulouse in France, but Sanderson is optimistic about his side’s chances.

Excited by Toulouse challenge

“Toulouse have a lot of big names and Jack Willis has been added to that list, so it’s huge; we’re excited,” he said.

“We’ve played them away before, but it was during Covid, so it will be good to get a full French crowd out there.”