Ford on top as Sale dominate Stade Francais Paris

George Ford impressed as Sale Sharks dominated Stade Francais Paris to win 28-5 in their first Investec Champions Cup Pool 4 match of the season.
All of Sale Sharks’ three tries came in the second half, as the hosts broke the resolved defence of their French opposition.

Wing Tom O’Flaherty finished in the corner in the 52nd minute, before lock Jonny Hill finished in the same spot ten minutes later.

Flanker Sam Dugdale added a third as the hosts pushed for a bonus-point, a deserved reward for his man of the match performance, but the fell short in their search for a fourth try.

Whilst they didn’t go over, the hosts finished the first half on top too thanks to Ford.

He kicked a penalty either side of Stade Francais Paris’ only try, which came via centre Jeremy Ward, to send his side in 6-5 up at the break.

He set Sale Sharks up in the second period too with his third penalty. His kicking out of hand was near perfect all game, conducting the Sale Sharks attack and putting the Stade Francais Paris defence under pressure.  

The only blemish on his record was the missed conversion after O’Flaherty’s score. By the time Ward and Dugdale went over Ford's replacement Tom Curtis was on the field, the 22-year-old kicking the extras on both occasions to demonstrate exactly what he can do.