Sale were beaten 38-20 by Harlequins in the game in question

Sale Sharks say they intend to appeal against the Rugby Football Union's decision to dock them one league point for fielding an unregistered player.

The RFU punished Sale after hooker David Ward featured in the club's 38-20 defeat by Harlequins on 22 March.

The club have blamed an administrative error for them failing to re-register Ward after a loan spell at Manchester.

"We will fight tooth and nail to have the point reinstated," said Sharks owner Brian Kennedy.

"Harlequins had won the match by the time Ward was introduced into the game and this is the first time a penalty like this has been issued when a club took nothing from a game.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to the Sharks' appeal against the point deduction

"Our appeal will be on behalf of the team, the club and the supporters, who may well, if we don't appeal, miss out on a trip to Twickenham for the final."

Ward came on as a front-row replacement in the 72nd minute of the Premiership game at the Stoop, when the Sharks were trailing Harlequins 31-15.

Sale need to record a bonus-point win over Northampton in their final league game on Saturday and hope other results go their way to earn a play-off spot.

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