RUGBY HEINKEN CUP: Sale 36 Montauban 6JUAN MARTIN Fernandez Lobbe set a captain's example with two first-half tries as Sale claimed a bonus-point victory to climb to the top of Pool One.
The Argentina backrow scored in the fifth and 23rd minutes, before Andy Tuilagi, Eifion Roberts and young replacement David Tait added second-half touchdowns to ensure a turbulent week at Edgeley Park ended on a high.
Director of rugby Philippe-Saint-Andre announced yesterday he is to quit the club at the end of the season after five years in charge. He is poised to return to France and has several suitors, most notably Toulon, but his dream to bow out as a European champion with Sale remains alive after this win.
SALE:Lamont; Cueto, Tuilagi, McAlister, Doherty; Hodgson, Peel; Faure, M Jones, Roberts, Chabal, Schofield, Fearns, Briggs, Fernandez Lobbe. Replacements: M Tait for Lamont (63), Bell for Doherty (63), Wigglesworth for Peel (55), Sheridan for Faure (40), D Tait for M Jones (63), Turner for Roberts (63), Cockbain for Chabal (60). Tries:Fernandez Lobbe 2, Tuilagi, Roberts, D Tait. Cons:Hodgson 4. Pens:Hodgson.
MONTAUBAN:Dalla Riva; Figueiredo, Avramovic, Paku, Cassin; Rosalen, Culinat; Del Boulbes, Arganese, Adams, Murray, Frost, Battut, Clarkin, Soldan. Replacements: Jonnet for Dalla Riva (66), Balan for Del Boulbes (52), Mach for Arganese (40), Sa for Adams (52), Rolland for Murray (60), Diarra for Battut (66). Not used:Fortassin. Sinbin:Sa (77). Pens:Rosalen. Drop Goals:Rosalen.
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon(Ireland).
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