There may have been fireworks going off around the ground but there were few inside. Both sides were missing half a dozen players through injury or international calls, but there was enough quality on show to serve up better fare than this.

Lawrence Dallaglio was in his element in a game dominated by forwards but he was overshadowed by his opposite number Sébastien Chabal who helped the Sharks grind out a win which puts pressure on Bristol at the top of the table.

"Today was an important game," said the Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint- André. "If you want to be in the top four you need to win some games when players are away on international duty."

Two penalties from Jeremy Staunton to three from Daniel Larrechea plus a drop-goal put Sale 12-6 ahead after a first half that produced little in the way of open rugby. Chabal imposed his presence with a few bullocking runs but the second half fell into a similar pattern.

Staunton and Larrechea swapped penalties and the substitute Lee Thomas sealed victory with the final penalty of the game. Dave Walder came on for Alex King in the dying minutes and snatched a bonus point for Wasps with a drop-goal.

"There were two very good defences out there, we just lost out in the penalty stakes," said the Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan.

Sale Robinson (capt); Foden, Taylor, Seveali'i, Ripol; Larrechea (Thomas, 53), Wigglesworth; Roberts (Stewart, 61), Bruno (Titterrell, 61), Stewart (Evans, h-t), I Fernandez Lobbe, Day (Schofield, h-t), White, M Fernandez Lobbe, Chabal (Hills, 77).

Penalties Larrechea 4, Thomas.
Drop-goal Larrechea.

Wasps Staunton; Thrower, Erinle, Waters, Voyce; King (Walder, 69), Amor; Payne, Ward, Bracken (Vickery, h-t), Shaw, Birkett (Palmer, 69), Skivington, O'Connor, Dallaglio (capt; Haskell, 63).

Penalties Staunton 3.
Drop-goal Walder.

Referee C White (Gloucestershire).

Attendance 10,417.