JOSH Strauss says Sale Sharks’ strength of character was the key to last Friday's record-equalling 57-10 thrashing of Gloucester at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Steve Diamond’s men produced one of the performances of the season as they ran in eight tries to hammer the Cherry and Whites and rise up to seventh in the Premiership table.

It was the perfect response following a frustrating loss at Saracens the previous weekend.

And Scotland international Strauss says having set such high standards in the manner of how they demolished Gloucester, Sale are determined not to rest on their laurels as they prepare for tomorrow’s trip to Harlequins.

"The sign of a good team is how you react to a setback. Last week at Saracens was a tough loss and we took it hard and we almost felt like we had to show that we cared,” Josh said.

"I think the reaction showed that the boys have got character and showed how much it means to us all.

"I was speaking to some of the Scottish press in the days leading up to the Gloucester game and I told them that things were in place here and that the right people were in place.

"We had been training well but it just hadn’t happened yet.

"On Friday night it just clicked and now it’s a case of trying to build on that and not being complacent.

"Our scrum went well, the line-out was excellent and I think when you get the basics right other things start taking care of themselves too.

"We stuck to our shape whereas in previous weeks maybe we had gone away from what we have practised.

"It was one of those games where it all just came together and we are obviously very happy about it.

"Getting a win like that is just a reward for all the hard work you put in during the week.

"The boys were relieved in the dressing room and we were obviously all very happy at the way we had performed.

"But we also said this Friday’s match at Harlequins is a big one. I think if we can win there then we will put ourselves in a much better position in the table.”