Following a 26-17 victory for Sale over Harlequins in the Investec Champions Cup round of 16, here\u2019s our five takeaways from Saturday\u2019s game at the Stoop.<\/p>\n
The top line<\/p>\n
It\u2019s quarter-final rugby for Sale<\/a> next weekend and deservedly so as they played the conditions and produced on the big occasion to dump out Harlequins on their home patch.<\/p>\n A brace of pushover scores from hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie were both converted by George Ford<\/a> while the latter slotted four penalties on an impressive night for the fly-half.<\/p>\n Harlequins<\/a> recovered in the second period and actually won the try count after Chandler Cunningham-South and Alex Dombrandt (2) went over, but they came up well short.<\/p>\n The net result is the Sharks progress and will face either Leinster or Edinburgh next, while for Quins their season continues to unravel with their European dream now over.<\/p>\n Ford on form<\/p>\n While he won\u2019t want to see his opening shot at goal again \u2013 one that struck the near upright from close range \u2013 Ford should be largely pleased with how he led his Sale troops.<\/p>\n Three successful penalties would follow plus a conversion before the break as Sale rightly grabbed the points on offer on a night of knockout rugby when they were precious.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t just those facets of play that Ford impressed but also his running game as he produced speed and footwork throughout to open up opportunities for his team-mates.<\/p>\n Ford added to his personal tally with a penalty goal and conversion in the second period taking him up to 16 points which helped him secure the Player of the Match award.<\/p>\n Sluggish Quins<\/p>\n Two of this season\u2019s struggling sides met at Twickenham Stoop tonight and it is fair to say things got a whole lot worse for the home team as they were hugely disappointing.<\/p>\n Toulouse v Bristol: Five takeaways as \u2018tackling allergy\u2019 sickens Bears to allow \u2018veteran winger\u2019 and \u2018raw-powered\u2019 English forward to shine<\/a><\/p>\n It is now clear that last weekend\u2019s shock win over Bristol Bears in the PREM was a false dawn as this was largely abysmal from Quins as they went into the break 16-0 down.<\/p>\n A first half possession statistic of just 29% playing with the wind and a high penalty count which cost them a man for 10 minutes summed up what was a dismal early period.<\/p>\n While there were improvements after the break, due in part to Cunningham-South\u2019s emergence and the shape Jarrod Evans offered, there is no hiding from yet another loss.<\/p>\n Double concern<\/p>\n Victory was soured somewhat for Sale Sharks fans by the sight of England duo Bevan Rodd and Cowan-Dickie leaving the field as they were helped off holding their wrists.<\/p>\n After departing in the first half Rodd was later seen wearing a sling in the changing room and it was later confirmed that the loosehead prop has dislocated his left shoulder.<\/p>\n Cowan-Dickie was a withdrawal late in the second period as he too clutched his wrist and it remains to be seen whether it is that, the arm or shoulder that is troubling him.<\/p>\n Bath v Saracens: Five takeaways as \u2018Thomas the Tank\u2019 sparks recovery while Itoje\u2019s men restore \u2018self-respect\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Sale desperately need these two key front-row veterans if they\u2019re to go deep in the Investec Champions Cup<\/a> but the signs don\u2019t look good that they will feature next weekend.<\/p>\n CCS impact<\/p>\n The Premier Sport commentary team questioned why Cunningham-South was on the bench tonight and it\u2019s a fair question such was the level of destruction the flank brought.<\/p>\n The hulking back-row was outstanding in the second half as he skittled Sale defenders and got the ball rolling on a potential comeback with a deserved score on 48 minutes.<\/p>\n