Johnson was named man of the match after an amazing 20-yard try

Saracens (21) 24
Tries:Skirving, Johnson
Pens: Jackson (4)
Cons: Jackson

Sale (7) 20
Tries: Chabal, Ripol
Pens: McAlister (2)
Cons: McAlister (2)

Saracens opened up a 21-0 lead and held on to end their three-match losing run and keep their play-off hopes alive.

Ben Skirving and Cencus Johnston scored first-half tries and Glen Jackson's five kicks took him to a league-leading 134 points for the season so far.

Massive Samoa prop Johnston was man of the match after an amazing 20-yard try, beating three tackles.

Sale replied with tries from Sebastien Chabal and Oriol Ripol, with Luke McAlister kicking eight points.

"Cencus potentially has the ability to be the best tighthead in the world.

"There's a number of areas where he has to improve. Scrummaging is one where he's worked very, very hard.

"He knows he has a long way to go, but he has the ability of doing things that very few in the world can.

"The try showed tremendous acceleration for a man of his size. The Premiership will bring out the best in him."

"We did good things but we gave them two tries. That makes it difficult but we showed character.

"We came back with one bonus point - it's better than nothing. We have a big game on Friday at home to Gloucester, and we need to win."

Saracens: Haughton, Penney, Scarbrough, Powell, Ratuvou, Jackson, de Kock, Lloyd, Kyriacou, Johnson, Jack, Vyvyan, Chesney, Barrell, Skirving.
Replacements: Cairns, Visagie, Ryder, Gustard, Rauluni, Russell, Thrower.

Sale: Cueto, Laharrague, Bell, Sevealai'i, Ripol, McAlister, Martens, Faure, Bruno, Roberts, C. Jones, Schofield, J. Fernandez Lobbe, Lund, Chabal.
Replacements: Lawson, Sigley, Cox, Bonner-Evans, Cliff, Mayor, Foden.

Referee: D Richards (RFU)