England prop Andrew Sheridan and Argentina openside Juan Fernandez Lobbe were sin-binned within four second-half minutes but Sale survived the ensuing Quins onslaught.

Saint Andre said: "We deserved to win. We were 12 points in front at one point and had we scored once more the game was over.

"We showed some poor discipline with the sin binnings and it's never easy to play with 13 players.

"We showed the character we needed because it's never easy to come to a top-four side and win. To do so with 13 men at one stage is fantastic.

"Now we are sure to finish in the top five and because of that we have qualified for the Heineken Cup, which is brilliant.

"If we beat London Irish next weekend then we will be in the semi-finals. Our destiny is still in our own hands and that is very pleasing.

"My players showed that they are fantastic in big games. Jason White and Sebastien Chabal were superb."

Charlie Hodgson finished the match with 13 points and Saint Andre urged new England boss Martin Johnson to select the Sale fly-half for the summer tour to New Zealand.

He said: "Charlie is a fantastic playmaker and player. He's had a good season and deserves to be in the England squad for the tour."

Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards felt Sale's greater experience proved the difference at the Twickenham Stoop this afternoon.

Danny Care and Tom Williams ran in tries for Quins but the home side were overpowered by a bigger side.

He said: "I looked at the Sale team before the match and felt that on paper it didn't look a bad side.

"They had a lot more experience than us and I hoped that wouldn't prove crucial, but in the end it was the difference between us.

"Our average age is 23 and a half so this team has a brilliant future. Our pack stood up to them very well."

Quins sit fourth in the Premiership table and face a do-or-die clash against Leicester which they must win if they want to guarantee a place in the semi-finals.

Richards said: "We haven't given up on the top four but we're not focusing on it too closely. We're still in with a shout.

"We'll look at the options open to us but it's more about personal pride and improving."