Sale Sharks boss Steve Diamond has declared himself "delighted" having seen his side secure a Champions Cup spot.

Diamond's men were emphatic 55-12 winners against Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, wrapping up their place in next season's elite European competition.

"That was obviously one of our aims from today because there was a bit of pressure on us having played well all season," the 48-year-old is quoted as saying by Planet Rugby. "This is a difficult place to come so we are delighted. We played well and we reminded the players in the week that we hadn't won here before.

"We hit form today and if we do that with the players that we've got then we can score tries like we did. The top four in the Premiership is probably away from us but we've got to manage expectations from where we have come from and what we have spent.

"To be competing in the top four you have to be spending big money. We don't do that so anywhere around the top six is great for us. We didn't expect to win by that scoreline by any stretch of the imagination."

Sale are back in league action in a fortnight's time when they take on Leicester Tigers.