PHILIPPE SAINT-ANDRE said he was right to rest his Sale big-hitters after Richard Mustoe’s late try cost them a win in the EDF Energy Cup.

Ex-Cardiff man Nick MacLeod got 12 points to help Sale into a 17-13 lead but Mustoe stole in to nick it.

Saint-Andre rested Luke McAlister, Dwayne Peel and Sebastian Chabal and said: “I have to look after the safety of the players.

"We are playing rugby, not football or ping-pong.”