SALE Sharks had an opening day nightmare falling to a disappointing 41-3 defeat to Saracens at Allianz Park.

The homes side started brightly and debutant Michael Rhodes touched down after strong work by their pack to make it 7-0 after five minutes.

The Sharks were given a chance to reduce the arrears but Danny Cipriani dragged his kick wide.

Former Sharks star Charlie Hodgson showed England's Cipriani how it should be done by stepping up and stroking over the penalty to hand the hosts a 10 point cushion.

But Sale got their first points of the half soon after, with a penalty by Cipriani got the kick to make it 10-3 after 19 minutes.

Another Hodgson kick and then a try on the half-hour mark by centre Tim Streather ensured Saracens were in the box-seat at 20-3.

But two minutes later, the Sharks put together their best attacking spell of the game, with all the backline combining in a 70m counter attack.

Unfortunately, Bryn Evans tried to bury his way over the try line, but he knocked on with the line in sight.

Saracens were denied another try after as a big hit from Will Addison on Duncan Taylor prevented a score.

But they did not have to wait long as on the stroke of half-time winger Mike Ellery scored Saracens touched down after a great pass from Charlie Hodgson.

The Sharks came out for the second half and were pressing in the Saracens 22, and they earned back-to-back penalties but they could not convert the pressure into points.

At the other end, Saracens were on the hunt for their fourth try, but good defence from Sharks and work from Chris Cusiter and Mike Haley ended a certain try in the left wing for the hosts.

After 62 minutes, Mike Ellery grabbed Saracen's fourth try by crashing over from close range. Hodgson coverted to make it 34-3.

Sale tried to push for their first try of the game, but a number of knock-ons and penalties prevented them from doing so.

After 75 minutes, Will Fraser got the hosts' fifth try following a number of pick-and-gos close to the line. Alex Goode got the conversion to make it 41-3.

The Sharks battled to get a consolation effort and they looked to have done it but Tom Arscott dropped the ball over the tryline on the last play of the game.

Sharks15. Mike Haley, 14. Tom Arscott, 13. Sam James, 12. Sam Tuitupou (off 56mins), 11. Will Addison, 10. Danny Cipriani (off 64mins), 9. Chris Cusiter (off 60mins), 1. Ross Harrison (off 60mins), 2. Tommy Taylor, 3. Brian Mujati (off 50mins), 4. Josh Beaumont, 5. Bryn Evans, 6. Dan Braid (off 64mins), 7. David Seymour (off 56mins), 8. Mark Easter (off 50mins)

Replacements: 16. Neil Briggs (on for Braid 64mins), 17. James Flynn (on for Harrison 60mins), 18. Vadim Cobilas (on for Mujati 50mins), 19. Jonathan Mills (on for Easter 50mins), 20. Magnus Lund (on for Seymour 56mins), 21. Peter Stringer (on for Cusiter 60mins), 22. Nick Macleod (on for Cipriani 64mins), 23. Mark Jennings (on for Tuitupou 56mins)