Philippe Saint Andre

Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre admitted his side simply failed to turn up after they lost at home to London Irish to surrender a Guinness Premiership play-off berth.

A horror show from Saint-Andre's men in the 17-7 loss - who were crowned Premiership champions two years ago - allowed Leicester to leapfrog them into fourth spot and left Sale outside of the play-offs in fifth.

"Today we didn't turn up," said Saint Andre. "It was an opportunity to get to a play-off semi-final but we don't deserve it after that."

He added: "In the first half we had seven or eight opportunities in their 22, but we lost the ball straight away.

"We knew they had match-winners but when you create seven or eight opportunities of your own and don't take them then you don't deserve to be in the semi-final."

Exiles director of rugby Brian Smith - whose side finished a creditable seventh - said: "To come here and win with 13 men on the pitch at one stage was so courageous.

"It's a shame that we're not going to be in the Heineken Cup but we're going to give the European Challenge Cup one hell of a bloody go."

Coach Toby Booth added: "We're a young side which is probably evolving and getting towards its prime. Half of it is a mental belief and that was probably our best performance of the year."