Jim Mallinder has said that Northampton Saints put in a "poor performance" during their 19-6 defeat to Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership this afternoon.

Three first-half tries set up the home side for the victory, which sees Saints drop to second in the table following Saracens' win over Harlequins at Wembley Stadium.

Northampton's director of rugby told BBC Sport: "It was a poor performance. In the first half we never really got off the coach. Sale scored some good tries and took their opportunities. In the second half we improved but we were always up against it because we knew we had to score tries.

"We looked like a side who didn't have any cohesiveness out there because we haven't all played together for eight weeks. I don't think it is fitness because our lads are fit. We just couldn't string anything together.

"We've got some important games coming up now. We've lost this game but we're not out, we've got five games and we're still up in a very strong position."

The defeat was the team's first since their loss to Gloucester in September.