Presented By
        Presented By
        <
        >
          Menu

          ESPN

          • scores

          You have reached ESPN's Australian edition. Stay on current site or go to US version.

          • NBA
          • NFL
          • Football
          • NBL
          • AFL
          • NRL
          • Rugby
          • Cricket
          • Olympics
          • More Sports
            • F1
            • NHL
            • MLB
            • World Baseball Classic
            • Golf
            • Tennis
            • NASCAR
            • IndyCar
            • espnW
            • Netball
            • NCAAM
            • WNBA
            • NCAAF
            • NCAAW
            • NCAA
            • Boxing
            • MMA
            • WWE
            • X Games
            • Betting Blog
            • Horse Racing
          • Tipping
          • Listen
          • Disney+
          • Rugby

          • Home
          • Scores
          • Tipping
          • Fantasy Rugby
          • Fixtures & Results
          • Tables
          • RugbyNow
          • Statsguru
          Gallagher Prem 2018
          Sale SharksSale SharksSAL
          57
          30/09FT
          10
          Gloucester RugbyGloucester RugbyGLO
          • Denny Solomona(1', 51')
          • Byron McGuigan(16', 33', 73')
          • Faf de Klerk(48')
          • James O'Connor(56')
          • Sam James(69')
          • AJ MacGinty(2', 18', 49', 52', 58', 70')
          • Will Cliff(75')
          • AJ MacGinty(40')
          • John Afoa(77')
          • Billy Burns(77')
          • Billy Burns(8')
          • SummarySummary
          • ReportReport
          • CommentaryCommentary
          • Match StatsMatch Stats
          • Player StatsPlayer Stats
          • LineupsLineups
          • TableTable

          James O'Connor scores on debut as Sale sink Gloucester

          James O'Connor scores on debut for Sale Sharks in their eight-try thrashing of Gloucester. Alex Livesey/Getty Images
          • ESPN staffSep 30, 2017, 07:16 AM
          Multiple Authors
          • Copy Link
          • Email
          • Print

          Australian international James O'Connor touched down on his Sale Sharks debut as his new side thrashed Gloucester 57-10 at the AJ Bell Stadium.

          O'Connor came on in the second half with Sale 22-3 in front thanks to Denny Solomona and Byron McGuigan (twice) who went over.

          That was despite the Cherry and Whites dominating possession in the first period, but all Johan Ackermann's men could muster was a single penalty by Billy Burns.

          The Sharks went on to dominate the rest of the match and completed the rout via Faf de Klerk, Solomona, O'Connor, Sam James and McGuigan as the Manchester outfit secured their second win of the campaign.

          Gloucester had the final word through John Afoa but it was a chastening evening for the visitors.

          Sale looked dangerous right from the kick-off and made the perfect start.

          Prop Alexandru Tarus twice acted as first receiver and, on the second occasion, it opened the space for Bryn Evans to send Solomona clear.

          Plenty of work still needed to be done but the winger is one of the best finishers in the Aviva Premiership and, after chipping the ball ahead, he just about managed to stay infield and cross the whitewash.

          Unperturbed, the visitors hit back and Burns reduced the arrears to four points almost immediately.

          Willi Heinz then went on a mazy run, evading the attempted tackles of several defenders but, despite persistent pressure, the visitors failed to capitalise.

          Sale duly benefited from Gloucester's profligacy and scored with their next attack when De Klerk's intelligent kick was well controlled by McGuigan, who touched down.

          After having the majority of possession and territory, Gloucester were beginning to get frustrated and that may have contributed to Billy Twelvetrees' errant pass, which led to the Sharks' third try.

          Ackermann's team had space on the right but the England international managed to pick out the only opposition defender as McGuigan rose highest to grasp the ball and scamper clear.

          AJ MacGinty was awry with the conversion -- his first and only miss of the evening -- but the stand-off did find the target from the tee just shy of the interval to increase the buffer to 19 points.

          Matters soon worsened for Gloucester in the second half via Twelvetrees' yellow card and the hosts effectively sealed victory when De Klerk went over from close range.

          The Manchester side were now rampant and two further quick-fire scores from Solomona and O'Connor increased the embarrassment for the Kingsholm-based outfit.

          Gloucester continued to search for that elusive try but they gifted James and McGuigan -- his hat-trick effort -- scores of their own via two intercepts.

          The visitors did finally get across the whitewash through Afoa but they had been thoroughly outplayed by the Sharks.

          • Terms of Use
          • Privacy Policy
          • Your US State Privacy Rights
          • Children's Online Privacy Policy
          • Interest-Based Ads
          • About Nielsen Measurement
          • Your Privacy Choices
          • Contact Us
          • Disney Ad Sales Site
          • Work for ESPN
          • Corrections
          GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos.
          Copyright: © 2026 ESPN Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.

          Standings

          Gallagher Premiership
          RTeamGPPDP
          1NOR14+12362
          2BAT14+18858
          3LEI14+15152
          4EXE14+11949
          5BRI14+11148
          6SAR14+15442
          7SAL14-7627
          8GLO14-17121
          9HAR14-21016
          10NEW14-3897
          Full Table