Preview - Sale Sharks 2021/22
“I’m so excited to be part of such an incredible group here at the Sharks. At the stage I am at in my career, I felt that it was the right time for a change in direction and for me to take myself out of my comfort zone.”
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Unreal week for @SaleSharksRugby reaching the Premiership Final for the first time since 2006 in front of an incred… https://t.co/c3gYknkftK -
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Season Expectation: 4th
Key Signings: Tommy Taylor, Nick Schonert, Simon McIntyre
Sale have invested to win and last year they mounted their first proper attack on the Premiership falling just short in the Semi-Final loss to the Chiefs. The sacking of Steve Diamond in January last year, whilst unpleasant, will be a blessing in disguise for the northerners. Alex Sanderson is one of the best rugby minds in the league and he made his presence felt in the short 6 months at the helm, helping Sale secure their first playoffs appearance since 2005-06 and losing just 5 games since taking charge. Despite the early success with a star-studded squad Sanderson is far more ambitious than just the Top 4, saying that: ‘’I don’t think we’ve even begun to scratch the surface of what this club is capable of.’’ Expect Sanderson to devise the most astute interpretation of old and new laws as well as building a winning next-up culture. With an offseason to continue his craft and a wealth of players returning from the invaluable Lions series experience, this side has the personnel and ambitions to win the Premiership.
The Sharks have recruited astutely this summer, refining and adding depth in key positions. Front-Row reinforcements being the task of the day, Sale have brought in Tommy Taylor (Wasps), Nick Schonert (Worcester) and Simon Mcintyre (Wasps). The return of Taylor is a great signing, he’ll bring the workhorse mentality providing excellent work-rate off the bench to close games. Props Nick Schonert and Simon Mcintyre add experience to their front-row ranks after the departing of Will-Griff John, Valery Morozov and Jake Cooper-Woolley.
In addition to their new-signings Sale have retained the services of their core playing group and they will be running it back with largely the same group. Sale’s squad embodies the power game and both their forwards and pack are brutal offensively and defensively. Last year they had the 3rd best defense in the Premiership, conceding just 401 points. They will continue to set the tone on defence but look to expand their game to stretch defences and make more clean breaks than last year, settling for 9th best in the Premiership in that department. Sale have a squad that will front-up and win many games out of sheer power and brutality. The Du Preez and Curry twins are hard-nosed workers and they all have a try scoring habit.
This Season, Sale’s worst-case scenario is that their international calibre players are fatigued from the gruelling Lions tour and their absence during the international window commitments proves tolling. Sale’s large South African internationals contingent, AJ Macginty (USA) and Tom Curry (England) will be absent for a large chunk of the season, and their availability or lack thereof may well be the defining point of their season. However, I think that Sanderson’s player management and the culture that he will instil will go a long way to making sure they perform to their full potential. They have the depth to cover and they will be blooding the already exciting young duo of Raffi Quirke and Kieran Wilkinson, both of whom showed star flashes in their semi-final exit last year. Expect the Sharks to continue their Top 4 streak and perhaps if they can hit their top-form during the finals they will be hard to beat.