Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union

Director of rugby Steve Diamond reserved special praise for his forwards as

The Sharks pack were dominant against the struggling French outfit, with two of their three scores penalty tries.

"It's been a long time since we've put a pack to the sword like that," Diamond told BBC Radio Manchester.

"We wanted to up our defence. It was outstanding and I think Biarritz will be sore for a week after that game."

Second-rower Andrei Ostrikov also went over as Sale registered a

Joe Ford joined Sale Sharks from Championship outfit Leeds Carnegie during pre-season

Summer signing Joe Ford, who was making his first start for the Sharks at fly-half, kicked 16 points and his performance has given Diamond a selection dilemma ahead of Sale's Challenge Cup trip to Worcester on 19 October.

in recent Premiership matches, but Diamond said Ford's display was just as assured.

"He [Ford] got a big knock on his head early doors, but he kicked impeccably and his field-position kicking was good," added the 45-year-old.

"If people come off the bench, get selected and play like they do, it makes it difficult for us. But that's what you want to have - a situation where you don't know what your first team is."