Second-placed Wasps used the World Cup power in their pack to keep the
pressure on Zurich Premiership leaders Bath.
England number eight Lawrence Dallaglio and lock Simon Shaw, who collected a
winners' medal and an MBE without ever seeing action in Australia, scored
tries.
And their World Cup squad-mate, flanker Joe Worsley, was named man of the
match in a display of forward strength which proved too much for determined
Sale.
It was Shaw who opened the scoring in the 21st minute.
His try was initiated by the experienced and influential axis of Dallaglio and
former Wales scrum-half Rob Howley, who sent Mark Denny on the run which set up
the initial drive by prop Craig Dowd.
Fourteen minutes later Dowd appeared to forced his way over only to have the
try ruled out by referee Tony Spreadbury.
But Sale's reply lasted only a matter of seconds before Dallaglio took the
ball from the base of the scrum and brushed off a challenge from Jason White on
his way to the line.
While Wasps' World Cup players made their mark, Sharks' Sydney final
try-scorer Jason Robinson - playing in the centre - hardly had any opportunity
to show his pace.
The intriguing clash came at fly-half between Alex King, of Wasps, and Sale's
Charlie Hodgson, the two players denied the chance to understudy Jonny Wilkinson
Down Under by injury.
Taking full advantage of the forward power which enabled Dallaglio and Howley
to create his space, King had far more chance to impress than Hodgson.
But neither showed the kicking prowess to worry Wilkinson.
Hodgson, who had an appalling miss when his simple ninth-minute penalty
rebounded from the post, made amends with his other two kicks, while King
finished with four from seven.
But Hodgson put the Sale side, who lacked nothing when it came to effort, back
in the game during first-half injury time, sending lock Chris Jones charging in
for his side's only try.
Sale should have drawn level three minutes into the second half but, with
Wasps at full-stretch, Mark Cueto threw out a forward pass to flanker Stuart
Pinkerton and the chance was gone.
Wasps reasserted their grip on the game as Sale conceded penalties under
pressure.
King kicked three in the second half, to one by Hodgson, before Wasps' World
Cup factor struck again.
A magical run by winger Josh Lewsey created the opening down the right for
Shaw, on his shoulder, to force his way over for a 70th-minute try.
Wasps threw everything into attack in the search for a fourth try which would
have secured them a bonus point but were denied as Shaw, popping up on the left
wing this time, was forced into touch only inches from the line.
Teams:
Wasps: van Gisbergen, Lewsey, Waters, Denney, Voyce, A. King,
Howley, Dowd, Leota, Payne, S. Shaw, Purdy, Worsley, Volley,
Dallaglio, O'Connor.
Replacements: Erinle for Denney (59), Greening for Leota (65),
S. Green for Payne (65), Logan for O'Connor (73).
Not Used: O'Connor, Skivington, Richards.
Tries: Volley, Dallaglio, S. Shaw.
Cons: A. King.
Pens: A. King 3.
Sale: Going, Cueto, Mayor, Robinson, Hanley, Hodgson, Redpath,
Sheridan, Cairns, Turner, C. Jones, Schofield, White,
Pinkerton, Sanderson.
Replacements: Hoyle for Going (76), Yates for Sheridan (62),
Titterell for Cairns (62), Stewart for Turner (52),
Day for C. Jones (77), Lund for Sanderson (69).
Not Used: Wigglesworth.
Tries: C. Jones.
Cons: Hodgson.
Pens: Hodgson.
Att: 9,506
Ref: Tony Spreadbury (RFU).
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