As has been the case for a few Aviva Premiership sides the Sale Sharks have had an undulating season in terms of their performances and results. Sale's seventh place finish meant that they just fell short of gaining access to the top tier of Europe due to Gloucester's success in the European Challenge Cup and I suspect that secretly this might be something that doesn't concern Steve Diamond too much.
Steve Diamond’s squad is one that contains a lot of young and talented players, perhaps more than many of us realise and that makes their potential for growth extremely exciting and it is this talent that Danny Cipriani sighted as part of his decision to extend his contract with the Manchester based side. Naturally we all know that staying in the mix for England was a large factor however Cirpriani could have jumped ship to another Premiership outfit and he chose not to. With respect to the wider squad, this contract extension was vital for when Danny plays well, Sale play well... it is as simple as that.
As mentioned the frustration for Diamond will have been his side’s inconsistency, particularly at the latter end of the season. After Christmas they were pushing strongly towards the four however in the end they slipped to seventh position. Whilst the European Champions Cup did stretch them in terms of game time and resources I don’t believe that it was the sole factor for their dip in form. Instead from the outside looking in it appears that they took their eye off the ball slightly and their drop was courtesy of little mistakes that crept into everyone’s game which allowed matches to slip away, their loss at London Irish in Round 19 was a prime example.
Lessons will be learned from this and regardless a number of individuals have made great strides during the twenty two rounds of action. Josh Beaumont has burst onto the scene and he continues to improve with every game thanks to his imposing presence, deft hands and deceptively quick pace. In the front row Tommy Taylor sprung back from injury brilliantly and thoroughly deserves his place in Stuart Lancaster's squad to take on the Barbarians. Out the back, the diminutive figure of Mike Haley has blossomed and Tom Arscott has turned many a game with his fast week and quick thinking.Finally how could this article conclude without mentioning the ever present and ever brilliant Mark Cueto? The service that Mark has delivered to the Sale Sharks is outstanding and it is only fitting that he leaves the Aviva Premiership as its all time leading try scorer. You'll be hard pressed to find a man more loyal to a Club than Mark, perhaps only Ugo Monye at Harlequins fits into the same bracket. On the pitch Sale will be a different and poorer place without their winger and the fact that he is staying around to continue to drive things forward off the pitch is superb.
In all Sale’s season has delivered in parts but not fully; the AJ Bell Stadium remains a very difficult place to travel to however like others they’ll leave the 2014/15 season with a sense of what if?
Key Men - Danny Cipriani, Dan Braid & Mark Cueto
Most Impressive Result - Round 13's home victory over the Northampton Saints by 20 - 7
Strongest Signings for the 15/16 Season - The two contract extensions for Dan Braid and Danny Cirpriani
Overall Assessment - Slightly topsy turvy but the signs all point towards stronger seasons ahead a long as they nail their consistency.
Key Men - Danny Cipriani, Dan Braid & Mark Cueto
Most Impressive Result - Round 13's home victory over the Northampton Saints by 20 - 7
Strongest Signings for the 15/16 Season - The two contract extensions for Dan Braid and Danny Cirpriani
Overall Assessment - Slightly topsy turvy but the signs all point towards stronger seasons ahead a long as they nail their consistency.
