Spotlight On - Sale Sharks

‘The only team to have ever been bottom at Christmas and survived’ that was the label that the Sale Sharks carried into the 2013/14 season and it meant that many people’s expectations for them last year were low. The thoughts and predictions of others mattered little to Steve Diamond and his squad; instead they kept their heads down, believed in their systems and calmly went about their business. By the following Christmas they were in 8th position, 22 points ahead of bottom placed Worcester and a world away from their previous festive woes. From that point on they continued to climb up the table, they secured a coveted European spot and erased all near relegation memories in the progress.

Behind the scenes things progressed positively too, their management structure settled and at the helm Steve Diamond flourished. Dimes is a straight talking, no nonsense Director of Rugby and nothing fazes him. If others are thinking it then he will probably say it and his ability to get the best out of his players is second to none. Supporters and staff alike were disappointed to lose Dwayne Peel, James Gaskell, Henry Thomas and Rob Miller to other clubs however their replacements have a great blend of youth and expertise. Diamond does not flash the clash, instead he is a savvy business man and has purchased well. 37 year old Nathan Hines tops the age and experience charts and he is joined by Chris Cusiter, Alberto De Marchi, Luke McLean, Darren Fearn and Magnus Lund. All have their eyes on a starting jersey and competition within the squad is at an all time high. In my eyes Chris Cusiter has the largest shoes to fill as last season Dwayne Peel was outstanding and along with Danny Cipriani created the solid half back axis that was the fulcrum for all things positive at Sale.

The Sale Sharks don’t show off, they play consistent and pure rugby, Michael Paterson runs their line out like clockwork, Mark Cueto finishes almost everything in sight and Captain Dan Braid has one of the highest work-rates in the Premiership and always leads by example. Will the Sharks be allowed to go under the radar once again this season? You suspect not, instead the eyes of the Premiership will be on them and this year I'm certain that teams will be prepared for Diamond’s men. Europe will stretch this side, their group is nothing short of horrendous with Saracens, ASM Clermont Auvergne and Munster Rugby however there is little point worrying about that just yet.

'Keep your head down, work extremely hard and prove yourself to your team mates and the coaches' that is the Sharks' philosophy as explained to me by Mark Cueto and it is one that should hold them in good stead for the 2014/15 season. With their new signings and their key men Sale have the ability to produce the unexpected; Cipriani has so much more in the locker and now has the maturity to know when to let his maverick tendencies out whilst figures like Sam Tuitupou and Tom Arscott have plenty of tricks up their sleeves. Yes their 2014/15 season will be stretching; however there isn’t any reason why it shouldn’t be a fruitful one again for Steve Diamond’s men.