Cueto hails new Sharks
August 11 2008
England wing Mark Cueto is convinced that the club's close-season signings can shunt Sale in the direction of trophies.
The promising-looking Sharks, whose agonising final day defeat to London Irish last term saw them miss the play-off cut, have strengthened with two international coups at Edgeley Park.
Philippe Saint-Andre has brought in Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel and England utility-back Mathew Tait along with Kristian Ormsby, David Doherty and Luke Abraham also joining.
And Cueto believes that his side have the arsenal to overcome recent disappointments and launch a success-filled campaign this year.
"Dwayne Peel is bedding into the squad really well. I've known him from our time in the British Lions and he's world class," he said, speaking to The Sun newspaper.
"Mathew Tait knows the lads from England duty and he'll slot in to the side with ease too.
"I think he'd prefer playing at number thirteen - but he's a great player at both full-back and wing so that gives us options.
"He's a maverick who is great with the ball in hand. He has pace to burn and can beat players with ease.
"When players come to Sale, within a month it's like they've been here for the past two or three years.
"Last year was a big disappointment. But with the depth we now have, no silverware this season will mean we have massively underachieved."
Meanwhile, recently retired finisher Steve Hanley has joined the staff at Sale Sharks to work with the Commercial and Community Departments.
Hanley had just started his Testimonial Season at the club before being forced to stop playing after picking up a back injury against Bayonne last December.
"After retiring from playing I had a chat with CEO James Jennings who was keen for me to stay involved at the Sharks, and I was delighted to accept his offer," Hanley explained.