Sale never looked like winning this one, despite their urgent need to do so after six straight defeats, yet London Irish managed only two tries, both by the Ireland wing Justin Bishop, who occupied the departing Brendan Venter's place at centre.

Venter, who was unable to play yesterday because of a knee injury, now heads home to South Africa.

Irish may persist with Bishop at centre, no doubt mindful of falling into the Christian Cullen trap of a potent wing seeing more of the ball but in less promising positions.

Options include going for an uncontracted Southern Hemisphere player and they also have their hat in the ring alongside Newcastle's for the Japan-based Scotland centre John Leslie.