Sale Look to the future after Devastating 2010.
Two consecutive demolition jobs on the continent, 97-11 and 56-9, would normally serve as a dangerous warning to Europe’s rugby elite. However, for Sale Sharks, scoring 153 points against European minnows can’t be seen as a groundbreaking triumph. If anything, it gives an indication of how the North West side have gradually slipped from the top-table of European Rugby.
This time last year Sale clashed in Europe with Heineken cup winners Toulouse, and Challenge Cup winners Cardiff Blues – both sides rammed with the best French and Welsh talent. The last week has seen the Sharks face relative unknowns in the Amlin Cup - Spanish side Cetransa El Salvador from Valladolid and Italians Petarca, who play their home games in Padua.
This drastic transformation in opposition is thanks to a disastrous 2009-10 season. Languishing near the bottom of the table, Sale only avoided relegation on the penultimate weekend of the season, finishing in 11th place. The struggling side were a far cry from the team which trounced Leicester Tigers 45-20 at a rain soaked Twickenham only four years earlier, securing Sale’s first Premiership title.
That memorable victory in 2006 offered the perfect platform for Sale to push for domestic domination, and arguably to transform domestic success into European triumph. Indeed, Sale’s prestige and popularity soared, and an influx of World class players arrived, leaving Edgeley Park home to the strongest squad in the country.
Phillipe Saint Andre - the then Director of Rugby - backed financially by Brian Kennedy and having achieved his goal of bringing the title to the North West, attracted some of the clubs most stellar signings – in particular that of Luke McAllister, the New Zealand star signed from the Auckland Blues. However, a string of injury hit seasons and several near misses have meant Sale are yet to return to Twickenham. The departure of Saint Andre at the end of the 2008/09 season was devastating, given that the likes of McAllister, Jason White and Sebastian Chabal - amongst numerous others - all followed him out of the door.
What followed saw a heavily depleted squad and a torrid term. However, not all is in ruin. Led by the youngest captain in the club’s history, and one of England’s finest young players – James Gaskell – the 2010/11 season could prove to be far healthier (despite the 20 year olds current spate of injuries).
Under new coach Mike Brewer Sale have made an admittedly average start to the season - winning just two from five. Yet new additions to the squad, such as Leinster import Kyle Tonetti and Sale Jets graduate Tom Brady – coupled with the return from injury of Matthew Tait and the talismanic Charlie Hodgson – suggest a much improved season is impending.
This, allied with the announcement that dwindling attendances are to be tackled with a marquee game at Bolton’s Reebok stadium in the New Year – a targeted sell out – indicate all signs point to a recovery from the 2009/10 nightmare. Perhaps the Sharks will be smelling blood - once more.
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