Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
It was a tough day for Sale Sharks in La Rochelle as the Premiership side lost their Champions Cup match 30-23 on Friday evening. To make matters worse, starting flyhalf AJ MacGinty was lost in the first half to a serious shoulder injury.
Sharks led 10-0 in the opening quarter with MacGinty kicking a conversion and a penalty goal. La Rochelle roared back with two tries to take a 12-10 lead, but MacGinty’s second conversion put Sale back in front. Moments after the restart he was forced off after taking a heavy knock on the shoulder.
With MacGinty off the pitch Sale lost shape and slipped away, falling behind 25-16 after a Chris Ashton yellow card. A red card to Russian prop Valeri Morozov reduced the team to 13 and La Rochelle took full advantage with French international Grégory Alldritt scoring another try to put the game away.
In speaking to the media after the game, Sale coach Steve Diamond confirmed that MacGinty had suffered a dislocated shoulder. While it’s not yet clear if surgery will be required, he is expected to be out for 3-4 months, setting his return in late April or early May.
