With the start of next year’s domestic season delayed because of England hosting the Rugby World Cup, Sale Sharks will face off against fellow Aviva Premiership teams Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons in a Kings of the North tournament prior to the World Cup.

Sale Sharks were in command against London Irish before half-time when Danny Cipriani’s pass was fumbled allowing Andrew Fenby to score and give the home side the advantage at the interval.

Johnny Leota and Josh Beaumont scored the tries for Sale while Danny Cipriani showed his quality scoring 13 points with the boot in tricky conditions as Sale prevailed 23-6 over Gloucester.

The Sharks will hope that a three-week break from fixtures due to the Six Nations and LV=Cup will provide the perfect tonic to their indifferent form in time for the crucial run in.

Sale remain in seventh and nine points of the semi-final places after failing to claim even a losing bonus point in Round 17 in their 12-3 loss to Bath.

Before last week’s 28-8 thumping at Leicester Tigers Steve Diamond’s men had won three games on the spin, including victories over last year’s finalists Northampton Saints and Saracens.

Sale Sharks and England’s Danny Cipriani has lauded his club’s tight squad and welcoming environment after signing a two-year deal to stay with the Manchester side.

Fly-half Cipriani earned his first Six Nations squad call up since 2008 on Wednesday and could play a pivotal role in Stuart Lancaster’s side as the World Cup fast approaches.

Sale’s spirited performance was not enough to avenge the 35-3 loss suffered away at last year’s finalists Clermont in their previous fixture, but a 22-13 scoreline at the AJ Bell stadium was at least respectable.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster was at the AJ Bell stadium to watch Danny Cipriani orchestrate the performance in blustery conditions as the Sharks ran out 20-7 winners against the Premiership pacesetters.

There is no let up for Sharks as they welcome reigning champions and table-toppers Northampton tomorrow who are on a seven-game winning streak and six points clear of the chasing pack.