SALE Sharks' Laurence Pearce has praised the younger players who helped beat Wasps 17-13 on Friday on the team's season-opening Anglo-Welsh Cup encounter.

Tries from centres Mark Jennings and Sam Bedlow sealed the win for Sharks on the night as they kicked of the competition with a home win.

Pearce told the club's website: "It's a massive result for some of these young boys, because they went to Wasps in the A League and got a bit of a beating so we knew we needed to put in a big performance.

"It was a massive performance from everyone, especially the players who haven't had the chance yet this season.

"It shows that they're ready to come on when they're needed in the Premiership."

Both sides fielded youthful squads, which saw Sale starting with twin brothers Ben and Tom Curry at blind-side and open-side flanker respectively.

"The Curry brothers are doing really well, they're only 18 and they're showing the can push for the first-team squad," explained Pearce.

"They'll only make the squad better when they are pushing for those spots."

Sale's next outing sees them travel to Ashton Gate for the second time in a fortnight, having just beaten the newly-promoted side 31-13, but Pearce knows it won't be an easy task.

"We need to go again in Bristol," he insisted.

"We just need to keep our composure."