Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson has hailed the performances of England call-ups Tom Roebuck and Luke Cowan-Dickie in the 31-27 bonus-point win over Gloucester.
Roebuck and Cowan-Dickie scored two tries apiece in the victory with Gus Warr grabbing another as Sale bounced back from the 45-26 defeat to Saracens last week.
The pair produced standout performances at Salford Community Stadium in the week that they were both named in Steve Borthwick’s training camp squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.
Sanderson hails Roebuck and Cowan-Dickie
England face the All Blacks, Wallabies, Springboks and Japan this November and Sanderson has tipped wing Roebuck for more England honours after working on two areas of his game.
“He’s on form at the moment. He’s in the squad but he wants to get in the team – he’s hungry for another cap. This was him showing what he was capable of,” said Sanderson.
“He has worked on his acceleration and ability to beat a man and you could see that today, he’s just getting stronger and better.”
Meanwhile, hooker Cowan-Dickie returns to the England squad after a lengthy spell outside of the team due to injuries, one of which saw him miss the Rugby World Cup.
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The Sale Sharks star is set to compete with England captain Jamie George and fellow Saracens forward Theo Dan for a spot in the matchday 23.
“How good was he? I’m so happy for him,” Sanderson said of Cowan-Dickie.
“With him getting back into that England team that was a bit of a statement for him that he means business this season. It feels like he’s got a new lease of life.”
Commenting on the game, Sanderson added: “That was a game that had everything – set-piece battle, big hits galore and then multiphase attack.
“It showcased a lot of elements that the Premiership are looking to put forward and us in particular.”
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“We have committed to a way of playing”
Meanwhile, Gloucester – who lost last week’s hat-trick hero Christian Wade to a first-half rib injury – grabbed two bonus points with a 78th minute try from Max Llewellyn.
George Skivington’s side were unable to breach the Sale defence in added time, playing some thrilling rugby.
“We have committed to a way of playing and two points here isn’t a disaster,” the Gloucester boss said.
“My frustration tonight is I don’t think we flicked into defensive mode quickly enough. That’s the challenge when you are going to play attacking rugby.”
First-half tries from Roebuck and Warr saw Sale lead 14-8 as the pair went over for tries after Tomos Williams had given Gloucester an early lead.
Roebuck doubled his tally in the 48th minute, crossing after Arron Reed’s bending run in midfield had pulled apart Gloucester’s defence. But Gloucester stayed true to this season’s promise to play from anywhere and they conjured a breakaway try from their own half just before the hour mark with Williams grabbing his second.
Two tries from Cowan-Dickie edged Sale clear and even though Gloucester struck twice in the last 10 minutes time ran out on them.
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