Mallinder salutes Saints for best away win of season

Tries from Ken Pisi, Michael Paterson, Mike Haywood and Ethan Waller earned an impressive 32-12 away success.

It was Saints' fourth victory on their travels this season, adding to successes at Bristol, Worcester and Gloucester, and it cemented sixth spot in the Aviva Premiership table.

Mallinder's men are now three points behind fifth-placed Leicester Tigers, who they face in their next league fixture, at Franklin's Gardens on March 25.

And Saints will be able to go into that game buoyed by their most complete performance of the campaign.

"We got our game plan right," Mallinder said.

"I thought our half-backs were very good with Stephen Myler in particular putting us into some good positions on the field.

"We defended very well and it was the icing on the cake getting the bonus point at the end."

Saints had not won at Sale in the league since November, 2012, and when asked whether this was his side's best away victory of the season, Mallinder said: "It is, without a doubt.

"It is hard to come here and that was a good win.

"We closed down their threats and they did try to play probably a little bit too much, but their kicking game didn't really threaten us.

"Our back three coped very well in the conditions."