In their Heineken Champions Cup opener at the AJ Bell Stadium, Sale Sharks defeated Ulster comfortably by a score of 39-0 bonus points.
Tom Curry scored the first try after returning from England duty, and Dan du Preez powered over for the second try in the first half.
Before Tom Curtis, Byron McGuigan, and Arron Reed crossed to make it six, brother Rob du Preez, who also scored nine points, scored from number three.
Ulster’s attack was pointless.
For Ulster’s visit, Sale had won their previous three games and were in second place in the Premiership.
They got a boost from England players Manu Tuilagi, Jonny Hill, Bevan Rodd, and Tom Curry returning, but the flanker started the rout.
He powered over for the first try after latching onto the ball following Reed’s break, and Dan du Preez scored the second in a similar punchy close-range burst.
The cold weather in the north west of England disrupted Ulster’s game preparation, forcing them to travel the morning of the game after their Saturday flight was canceled.
The hosts’ disciplined defense prevented Ulster’s seemingly jetlagged attack from creating many chances, and Tuilagi’s concussion following a head-on collision with Andy Warwick was the only negative.
Curtis ran an excellent line to slice through the Ulster defense for the bonus point, and eight minutes after the break, Rob du Preez added to Sale’s lead when his unsuccessful offload came back to him.
At that point, the game and Ulster’s spirit were over. McGuigan scored the fifth try by taking advantage of a loose lineout by the visitors, and Reed completed an excellent team move that started in his own half.
Eddie has been one of the best coaches I’ve ever had, and he has been a big part of England Rugby for a long time. For that, I am extremely grateful.
“We owe a lot to him and are disappointed that it ended early.” I have been around for some time, but I haven’t been around many changes, either at the club level or on the international stage. It doesn’t feel good to go through it.
From the results, it is evident that we all want to improve in certain areas, but as players, you evaluate your own capabilities.
A review of England’s disappointing autumn campaign, which resulted in one victory from four matches, led to Jones’ dismissal.
The 31-year-old Saracens flyhalf responded, “Yes, I have spoken with Jones since the Australian was relieved of his duties. We’ve exchanged a few messages, and I hope to see him soon.
While England’s Six Nations campaign begins on February 4 against Scotland at Twickenham, the nation is currently without a head coach nine months prior to the 2023 World Cup.