Sale Sharks secured a place in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs after beating Bristol Bears 36-20 at Ashton Gate, need one more win – they visit Gloucester next weekend, then host Newcastle on May 6 – to book a home tie in the knockout phase.
The Bears, who saw prop Ellis Genge yellow-carded following a high tackle on Sale flanker and England team-mate Tom Curry, are now effectively out of the play-off race.
George Ford was the architect of Sale’s impressive win, kicking four penalties, a drop-goal and three conversions for a 21-point haul.
