After being on the bench twice in the last two weeks, AJ MacGinty led the Sale Sharks to a 20-11 victory in a midweek Gallagher Premiership clash vs Wasps.

MacGinty was at least partly responsible for all of the Sharks points, whacking over five penalty goals (including two from long range), and setting up the lone Sale try with a nifty little flat pass to fullback Luke James who barreled over.

But perhaps just as important was how MacGinty managed the field position and the pace of the game—something that his former Eagle captain noticed.

Outstanding game management from @Aj_MacGinty to close out this game for @SaleSharksRugby. Class all around.

— Blaine Scully (@BlaineScully1) August 25, 2020

It was a good return to the starting lineup for the USA flyhalf. MacGinty looked a bit bigger and stronger, and seems to have benefited from the time off due to the COVID shutdown.

With the win, Sale is now 9-7 and has leapfrogged Wasps for 3rd place. But really, with Exeter well in the lead in the standings, the next five teams are all very close to each other.