SALE boosted their chances of qualifying for next season's European Cup by leap frogging over Harlequins into fourth place in Courage League One with a comfortable win over struggling London Irish last night.

Toni Beim and David Rees both bagged two tries apiece as Sale added to the third bottom Exiles' relegation worries.

London Irish started in lively style, taking the lead with two tries in as many minutes by Yeabsley and Conor O'Shea, after skipper Jim Mallinder had given Sale a seventh minute lead.

However, Sale stepped up their workrate and surged into a commanding 26-13 halftime lead with tries by Rees, Beim and David Erskine, plus three conversions by Adrian Hadley.

London Irish, with Gabriel Fulcher and Jeremy Davidson outstanding, dominated the early line outs, but a disciplined Sale pack gradually took command.

The Exiles were kept on the defensive for most of the second half as Sale piled on the pressure and Beim and Rees each added to their earlier tries.

The Exiles finished with a flourish with tries by Hennessey and Yeabsley, but by then Sale had taken their foot off the pedal.