Sale Sharks squeezed past the challenge of newly-promoted French side Section Paloise in the European Challenge Cup this afternoon.

Tries from Brian Mujati, Mark Jennings, Viliami Fihaki and Sam James helped Sale win 24-20 in a back-and-forth game at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Prop Mujati bulldozed over the line for Sale after just three minutes with Joe Ford adding the conversion, before Thibault Daubagna pulled a penalty back for the French team.

Quentin Lespiaucq crossed under the posts after 20 minutes to get a score back for Pau, with Daubagna adding the conversion to give the visitors a three-point advantage.

Sharks quickly retook the lead though after Jennings crashed through the Pau defence, before Daubagna pulled Pau back with a penalty just before half time.

Ford added another penalty after the break, but Lespiaucq rumbled over from a driving maul for his second and Duabagna added the conversion to give Pau the lead again.

James hit back though for Sale after patient work from the forwards, before Mills secured the bonus point three minutes from time.