Notwithstanding the quirky decision to field England hooker Andy Titterrell at openside, Sale's selection suggested that they were taking the game seriously - as well they might, with Heineken Cup qualification guaranteed the winner of the competition.
If there was some mechanism to give European qualification to the winners, its value would increase.
Their qualification as group winners already assured, China could have been forgiven for resting their star players – even the entire first XI – ahead of the quarter-final with Australia.
Powergen, the sponsors, agreed a deal with the BBC in which club rugby was on free-to-air TV, English clubs had the carrot of Heineken Cup qualification for the winners dangled in front of them and Welsh interest was maintained when the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues won in 2008 and 2009.
The other semi then pitches the lowest-ranked qualification play-off winners against the team not selected under 'Club Call'.
A historic Olympic qualification awaits the winners of Tuesday's clash between Senegal and Gabon in Tangiers.
Champions League debutants Malaga knew victory against seven-time European champions AC Milan, coupled with defeat for Zenit St Petersburg at previously winless Anderlecht, would clinch their qualification as group winners.
This was introduced three years ago, when it was decreed that the highest-ranked qualification play-off winners from week one, which this year will be league leaders Wigan, should be allowed to choose the identity of their semi-final opponents.
Junior Malanda's 88th-minute winner means qualification is now out of Wigan's hands.
He later atoned for his mistake but may have to do so again after this latest refusal to commend the three-time Balon D'Or winner without qualification.
