Sale’s director of rugby admitted to mixed emotions as his side eventually went down 25-19 at ASM Clermont Auvergne in Round 3 where victory would have sealed a last-16 spot.

However, Sanderson is confident they can get that job done when they host Ospreys in Pool A on Sunday.

And while other teams must also rely on results elsewhere to progress, the equation is simple for Sale.

Sanderson said: “Now we know what we’ve got to do to go through and that’s beat Ospreys at home. We are getting there and we are starting to gel.

“We’ll go home, lick our wounds and start building for next weekend.

“We are better than the scoreline indicated in Clermont and if we keep applying ourselves, and keep building, the results will start to turn our way.”

Sale had led 19-12 in Clermont and also had a try from Will Cliff disallowed by the TMO.

Sanderson said: “I can’t fault the effort and application of my players and we came away with a lot of pride and a lot of anger.

“I feel like we nearly won it. Anyone coming here and taking a losing bonus-point would normally be happy, but every point matters in this tournament and we were better than what we came away with.

“I feel frustrated allied with a sense of pride because we didn’t give an inch physically.

“We stuck to the game plan in the first half and looked dangerous.”

Alex Sanderson insisted Sale Sharks are going in the right direction as they close in on a Heineken Champions Cup qualification spot.