Aviva Premiership rugby: Scotland call-up Shingler plays his part in Irish win

SWANSEA-born Scotland call-up Steven Shingler, whose international future is soon to be decided by the IRB, played his part as London Irish made up for their hammering at Bath last week by recording a sixth Aviva Premiership victory of the season as they edged past Sale Sharks 21-19.

The boot of fly-half Adrian Jarvis saw off the visitors after Irish head coach Toby Booth took off the Premiership’s leading points scorer Tom Homer during the second half. Jarvis’ two penalties, adding to one and a conversion by Homer plus tries by Bryn Evans and Topsy Ojo, earned the Exiles a two-point victory. Shingler set up Ojo’s try and turned in a solid performance.

Sale’s Nick Macleod kicked four penalties and converted full-back Rob Miller’s early try but they came up just short.

Meanwhile, Saracens moved closer to Aviva Premiership leaders Harlequins with a 29-16 win over Bath that kept the champions second in the table.

Owen Farrell kicked 16 points but missed another 12 in a hard-fought victory to mark the 2,000th Premiership game since Bath and Newcastle played the first on 23 August, 1997.

And it was clearly a big day for the likes of Charlie Hodgson, Farrell, David Strettle and Brad Barritt of Saracens, all the subject of England selection speculation in recent weeks. Equally, Bath duo Matt Banahan and Dave Attwood will have had Six Nations selection in mind on the back of last week’s impressive 30-3 victory over London Irish.