Ospreys 20-3 Sale Sharks: Welsh side seal place in European quarter-finals with superb Anglo-Welsh victory

The Ospreys sealed their place in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a superb 23-15 victory over Sale Sharks at the Brewery Field in Bridgend.

Tries from Morgan Morris, Keelan Giles and Reuben-Morgan Williams had put Toby Booth's side in a commanding position to reach a quarter-final against Gloucester at Kingsholm next weekend.

However, late scores from Arron Reed and Tommy Taylor threatened to spoil the Ospreys' hopes of a first-ever European knockout victory. But a late Owen Williams penalty ensured the Welsh side would progress to the last-eight in front of a raucous Brewery Field.

Much of the talk before this one had been about the decision to bring the game to Bridgend. On their last visit to the Brewery Field, they'd outmuscled Cardiff in atrocious conditions.

Ospreys head coach Booth praised the stadium for its 'earthy' qualities, but the early passages made it appear the English visitors were more comfortable in the conditions.

From the kick-off, they had the home side under pressure - pinning them back in their own 22 and making life difficult for the Ospreys.

That early pressure resulted in Rob du Preez opening the scoring after four minutes with a simple penalty in front of the sticks.

A scrum penalty - always a strength for the Ospreys throughout the night - handed Williams the opportunity for a quick response, but his wind-assisted effort from halfway didn't quite have the legs.

As the half went on, the Ospreys found their footing - eking out more scrum penalties and playing the conditions well.

Just before the half-hour mark, Williams levelled the scores as his second effort off the tee had enough behind it.

And then, after the Ospreys had disrupted Sale's attempted clearance kick as the clock ticked