By all accounts Sale Sharks’ 2015-16 season was a successful one with 10 out of 11 Premiership home victories, a sixth place finish and Champions Cup rugby secured. The question now is can they emulate, or better, that success in the 2016-17 season?
It’s been a busy summer for all at the Sharks as they’ve gained new ownership, signed multiple long-term contract extensions and put pen to paper on the largest sponsorship deal in the history of the club. All three of these factors should have combined nicely to ensure that there’s plenty of energy buzzing around Carrington and that supporters are feeling optimistic about the club’s future.
Last season Sale went quietly about their Premiership business, they focused on themselves and accumulated their points without making a big fuss. At times the Sharks flew slightly under the radar and that suited them just fine. Again this season they won’t be seen by all of their competitors as major title contenders but if the rest of the table aren’t careful then Steve Diamond's side could catch them unawares. In short, it would be foolish to underestimate Sale, even with a few key personnel changes in their ranks.
Of course there’s one area that we’ll all be keeping a close eye on and that’s the changing of the guard at 10. Last season Danny Cipriani orchestrated proceedings with ease and sprinkled his stardust on matches week in and week out. Now there will be a different style of 10 taking the reins as, in Steve Diamond’s words, AJ MacGinty plays with a spot more ‘structure’ than Danny did. Their DOR believes that this should suit the forward pack that they’ve assembled and still allow them to flourish. As always the proof will be in the pudding and personally I’m looking forward to seeing how the former Connacht man adapts to Premiership life. Also while we're talking about signings then let’s not forget the introduction of Josh Charnley. Obviously the Wigan flyer won't arrive until the Super League season has finished but he's been in sterling finishing form of late in league and if he grasps the finer points of union quickly then he could be a prized asset.
Sale Sharks’ eyes are facing firmly up the table and to achieve their ambitions they’ll need to ensure that their whole squad presses on and uses the experience that they gained last season at the club or on International Saxons duties. Equally they need to contend with fighting on two fronts with the presence of the Champions Cup. Toulon, Saracens and Scarlets are a different kettle of fish to the likes of Pau that they faced in the Challenge Cup last season and the last time that Sale were in Europe's top flight it stretched them too much. So in the 2016-17 season they have to hope that the full squad stays fit and balance the demands of the season in it's entirety to ensure their domestic campaign isn't hindered by the presence of Champions Cup rugby.
An opening trip to Newcastle Falcons awaits on Friday night and in the early September sunshine (hoped for not necessarily expected) I’d like to see Sale make their intentions clear. They have a back line packed with line breaking abilities and one that should fly on the artificial turf at Kingston Park. This season has the potential to be another productive one for Sale but with the demands of two competitions and their peers around them improving I believe that maintaining Champions Cup rugby should be their minimum requirement. Once that's in the bag then anything beyond can be an added bonus.
Opening Six Fixtures: Newcastle Falcons (A), Harlequins (H), Gloucester (H), Worcester (A), Leicester Tigers (H), Bath Rugby (A).
Key Focus: Continuing to surprise those around them and maintaining their hugely impressive home form. Both of these elements should put them on track for another productive season.
In: Laurence Pearce (Leicester Tigers), Rob Webber (Bath Rugby), Josh Charnley (Wigan Warriors RL), AJ MacGinty (Connacht), Dan Mugford (Nottingham), Kieran Longbottom (Saracens), Paolo Odogwu (Leicester Tigers), Mike Phillips (Racing 92), Halani Aulika (London Irish), Lou Reed (Cardiff Blues), Byron McGuigan (Exeter Chiefs), Curtis Langdon (London Irish)
Out: Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Tommy Taylor (Wasps), Joe Ford (Yorkshire Carnegie), Vadim Cobilas (Bordeaux Begles), Chris Cusiter (retired), Tom Brady (Leicester Tigers), Viliami Fihaki (Edinburgh), Mark Easter (Retired), Nick Macleod (Newport Gwent Dragons), Phil Mackenzie (San Diego Breakers).
