Sale Sharks began their European Challenge Cup campaign with a defeat at French side Brive in Pool 5.
Scott Spedding went over for Brive before Riaan Swanepoel and Nick McLeod exchanged penalties to leave the hosts 19-6 ahead at the break.
Mathias Atayi then extended the hosts' lead with their second try, as Swanepoel again converted.
Tom Brady and Johnny Leota both crossed for Sharks in the second half but they were unable to complete a fight-back.
LINE-UPS
Brive: Spedding; Boussuge, Namy, Noon, Atayi; Swanepoel, Figuerola; Henn, Natriashvili, Barnard; Dubarry (capt), O Caisso; Luafutu, Forgues, Hauman.
Replacements: Acosta, Kakovin, Barozzi, Le Devedec, Azoulai, Pejoine, Caminati, Caminati.
Sale: Miller; Brady, Leota, Tuitupou (capt), Addison; MacLeod, Cliff; Dickinson, Taylor, Buckley; McKenzie, Gaskell; Easter, Seymour, Powell,
Replacements: M Jones, Imiolek, Thomas, Myall, Vernon, Willis, Burrell, Higgins.
Referee: Carlo Damasco (Italy).
Att: 5,500.
