LUKE McAlister proved he was more sheriff than deputy after leading Sale into the semi-finals of the European Challange Cup.

Despite only stepping in at fly half as a replacement, the All Black star made the number 10 shirt his own, kicking 19 points and pulling all the strings in Sharks' emphatic 49-24 win over Brive.

It was the kind of composed and creative display that highlighted the exact scale of McAlister's vast potential.

Worrying then for Sale's opponents that the 24-year-old is starting to look right at home at Edgeley Park.

Even more worrying that Sharks coped so well without their outstanding playmaker Charlie Hodgson, given the night off after the birth of his first child earlier in the week.

This was the team's riposte to all those fans who had criticised them for a lack of entertaining rugby this season.

In stark contrast to the more physical, direct approach employed in victories over Gloucester and Bath, Sale played with ambition and panache right from the start.

Relieved of the burdens that come with playing in the ultra-competitive Guinness Premiership, they played almost entirely without fear and the approach earned instant reward, McAlister kicking a penalty within two minutes.

It was only a matter of time before the first try followed, but while it may have been fashioned by flair behind the scrum, it was sheer forward grunt that provided the finishing touch.

Ben Foden's chip and chase forced Filimino Boleavucu into a fatal error, the winger carrying the ball over his own touchline before touching down inside the in-goal area.

From the resultant five-metre scrum, an unstoppable eight-man shove saw Sebastien Chabal over the line.

McAlister added the conversion and another penalty before his boot turned provider for Sale's second try.

A beautifully delicate kick found Lee Thomas in acres of space on the right flank and the Welshman cradled before touching down.

At that point Sale looked unstoppable but, even without their England World Cup-winning duo Steve Thompson and Ben Cohen, Brive were determined to make a game of it.

They roared back at the hosts, playing some exhilirating rugby of their own, and pulled two tries back before half time.

Farid Sid scored the first, diving over after a period of sustained pressure, before creating the second, side-stepping two timid tacklers before sending Vickus Liebenberg trundling in at the corner.

But Sharks reasserted their dominance after the break.

Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, a replacement for the injured Chabal, darted in to score after Mark Cueto had been halted just short.

The Argentinean grabbed a second just eight minutes later, crossing after the Sale forwards dominated a Brive pack left shorthanded following Charl van Rensburg's yellow card. McAlister converted both and at 35-12 it was game over.

Brive still wouldn't give up though and Jean Philippe Bonrepaux piled over the line to keep Sale on their toes.

But Will Cliff scored his first senior try for the club and the hosts' dominant pack earned a penalty try to put the gloss on the victory and create a scoreline that was probably harsh on the French side.

There was still time, however, for Liebenberg to cross for a late consolation.