SALE Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond felt the 39-30 loss at Gloucester summed up his side's inconsistent campaign.

The Sharks left Kingsholm with a bonus point, thanks to four tries from Kieran Longbottom, Byron McGuigan, Mike Phillips and Sam James, and were leading 24-15 before letting the hosts back into the game.

Diamond told the club's website: "There were two sides who were winging it round, and lot of it was decided by the referee. The penalty count against us was unfair, but he judged it that way. Credit to Gloucester, they brought a lot of experience on the bench with 20 minutes to go, and took the game away from us. But there are some positives, but it's frustrating really.

"It (the performance) probably reflects where we are in the table, by the way we play we are inconsistent, not only week-by-week, but also in games.

"There were some good performances from some players today, the Curry's were outstanding, but I sound like a whinging toe-rag, but there are three or four decisions which were wrong and they cost you dearly."

Meanwhile, Diamond said press speculation about the signings of James O'Connor and Faf de Klerk are incorrect.

He added: "I have not spoken to either player and don't know where the speculation has come from.

"We have announced several new signings recently and we are in negotiations with several more players.

"Once they sign a Sharks contract we will make announcements."