Sale Sharks
June 14 2001
Club Details
Sale Sharks RUFC,
Edgeley Park,
Hardcastle Road,
Stockport,
SK3 9DD
Stadium Capacity: 10,500
Website: www.salesharks.com
Founded: 1861
- 2008/9 Season Preview -
Last time around: The Sharks once again struggled to get back to their championship-winning heights of 2005/06 in another below-par season at Edgeley Park. The signing of All Black Luke McAlister was a positive step though as he effortlessly switched from centre to fly-half when called upon. However, a fifth-place finish and semi-final exit in the European Challenge Cup didn't bring much smiling in the north-west!
This time around? Excellent signings once again from Philippe Saint-Andre will aid the Sharks' cause! Young English talent Mathew Tait and David Doherty should regularly cross the whitewash and flourish outside the distributing skills of Hodgson and McAlister. Add to that Dwayne Peel and Kristian Ormsby's arrivals and an improved season looks very much on the cards!
Coach: Former France captain Philippe Saint-André, who won 69 international caps, enjoyed the wonderful taste of Premiership success in 2006. However, since then his side have never got back to that silverware-winning level and he'll be desperate to put that right with Heineken Cup rugby joining domestic games at Edgeley Park this term!
One to watch: Surely a signing that will complement Sale's exciting style of back play! And Saint- André obviously feels that he finally has the final piece to his jigsaw with Mathew Tait expected to line-up outside Charlie Hodgson and Luke McAlister - it whets the appetite!
In: Mathew Tait (Newcastle), Kristian Ormsby (Hurricanes), David Doherty (Wasps), Luke Abraham (Leicester), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), Nick Macleod (Cardiff Blues).
Out: Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Ben Foden, Chris Mayor, Christian Day (all Northampton), Elvis Seveali'i (released), Magnus Lund (Biarritz), Bonner Evans (released), Sililo Martens (Llanelli Scarlets), Andy Vilk (released), Julien Laharrague (Montauban).
Prediction: 5th
Colours: White and blue
Tickets: £5 - £44
Travel connections: Manchester airport is only a twenty-minute drive away, and links you to Stockport from just about anywhere in Europe. If you come from the south, rail is probably the best bet, as Stockport lies on the main line to Manchester. There are plenty of motorways around, the M60, 61, 62 and 56 all pass by not too far away.