Sale Sharks produced a less-than-convincing display to beat 14-man La Rochelle in the European Champions Cup.

Sale led 10-7 after AJ MacGinty's penalty followed tries from Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Vincent Rattez, when Pierre Bourgarit was sent off for putting his hand in Tom Curry's face.

Brock James kicked the visitors level but Sale retook the lead with a penalty try as the man advantage began to tell.

Chris Ashton sealed victory despite Geoffrey Doumayrou's late consolation.

More to follow.

Teams

Sale Sharks: Hammersley; Solomona, Van Rensburg, R Du Preez, Ashton; MacGinty, De Klerk; Harrison, Van der Merwe, Oosthuizen, Evans, J Du Preez, B Curry, T Curry, Ross

Replacements: Webber, Morozov, John, Phillips, Postlethwaite, Papier, L James, Yarde

La Rochelle: Murimurivalu; Rattez, Doumayrou, Sinzelle, Retiere; James, Bales; Priso, Bourgarit, Herrera, Sazy, Leroux, Gourdon, Alldritt, Vito

Replacements: Orioli, Wardi, Joly, Kieft, Liebenberg, Kerr-Barlow, Botia, Plessis