All things Sale Sharks........somewhere to put stuff anyway

http://www.salesharks.com/

Yer I know not exactly in depth but from acorns etc.

So to start at the beginning, what's the news on ickle Kyle Eastmond?

It was announced int ta media that Bath had given him the elbow and he'd be moving onto Sale, though obviously nowt;) has since been said about his move opp north......can it be assumed that he's returning to rugby league?

The mancunian guardian....https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/30/kyle-eastmond-out-bath-sale-sharks

I'll do my best to not seriously offend as much as possible

I hope Eastmond signs for Sale, Steve Diamond is excellent at getting the most from players and Kyle is yet to peak in union. Plus I like the idea of the English combo of Eastmond and James, that's a creative midfield that can threaten the line ball in hand.

Eastmond was excellent in all but the last season for Bath. Should have played more for England.
A big miss for us.

Looking at the Jeff fixtures and you have to think that Sale have a decent enough draw. And I think they're good enough to take advantage with their coaching and general off field set up strengthened, the old rough Diamond will continue to deliver - even minus the mercurial Cipriani.

Success for Sale will be top 6 again and a decent enough european campaign even if they don't go past the group stage. What will be of interest is what they do with their european home matches, as it would be very interesting if they can take them to a larger stadium?

I am always fascinated by Sale. They always do some splashy good business in the transfer market each year, typically take a couple of huge scalps throughout the year but then inexplicable lose games to teams that don't seem to be as good as them.

Just how good is everyone expecting them to be this year? Whom would you say are your standout players and biggest strengths?

Sale pretty much always have and probably will be a team that float between 5th and 9th place. Always good enough to avoid the relegation fight but never quite consistently good enough to make the play offs.

I'm principally a Falcons fan, but I like to take an interest in all of the northern clubs.

Sale have been made into a good honest team by Steve Diamond but this far haven't had the money to compete at the next level. Unfortunately in recent years they have effectively become what London Irish is to Bath. Tommy Taylor, Simon McIntyre, James Gaskell and Rob Miller and throw in Danny Cipriani and Kyle Eastmond (never technically a Sale player, but it was heavily rumoured) you can start to feel a little peed at the pests.

They have now been taken over and hopefully will be able to move onto the next level. There is always the belief that Sale are one of the sleeping giants of English rugby (huge potential market), maybe this time it will happen...

The only splashy signing I can recall Sale making was Richie Grey - which was an unmitigated disaster. That was very much not a usual Sale signing - they are far more often either unheralded or damaged goods in search of redemption. As one of the clubs that has historically been unable to spend up to the cap (let alone ignore it completely) they have always had less resources to work with than most other teams. That they have largely avoided relegation dogfights (LWs first season in AP excepted) is a near miracle.

Not sure they will ever turn into a major force even with increased funding, but they have won the premiership as often as Quins and Saints

If the increased funding means they can retain the players they bring through then they could well present a stronger outfit. Diamond does a phenomenal job there but it must be hard to build when every summer you have to try and replace a couple of key players that have been pinched by other clubs.

Look at this off season, rather than concentrate on areas of weakness the pressing issues have been on finding a good quality hooker and fly half. Having said that I think Webber will flourish under Diamond and he's picked up a couple of decent 10s so will have options there.

They have managed to retain some very decent young players, people should watch out for:

Cameron Neild, he is a hooker who has been playing in the back-row (I personally think he should stay there). He's a big and very powerful carrier, he is a destructive tackler and has good hands (as you would expect for a number 2). I worry that a bigger club will come for him before long.

Josh Beaumont, he's more of a lineout specialist number 8 than a bruising number 8 in the mould of big Billy. He still seems to run into contact a little too upright for my liking, but it is an area of his game that has been improving.

Their two young centres Sam James and Mark Jennings are coming along, I'd say James in particular is something special. It's just a shame that he has come along at a time when we are finally starting to develop depth in the position.

George Nott is an interesting one too, I have a feeling that he may end up falling between a rock and a hard place. I don't think he will be powerful enough for second row, but may be too slow for back-row. He may also decide he is Welsh at some point too.

Mike Haley is safe under the high ball, has strength in contact like Mike Brown and is also elusive, he's my pick to make the biggest impact. Will start the season injured but I expect him to make up for lost time.

I've heard good things about the Curry twins in the back-row too, but never seen them play. I expect they will be in the England U20s squad for the coming campaign.

Throw in their young front rower Ross Harrison (who has a ridiculous number of appearances for a prop of his age 124 at 23 years of age) and things seem rosy. They certainly put some clubs to shame from this point of view.

And don't forget Josh Charnley

GB Sevens star Dan Bibby has been linked with Sale.

Cumbrian, they have and still are producing great talent. Difference now is they have the funds to tie those talents down to four year contracts. That's great in giving Sale a platform to build from.

Harrison, James and Haley should all be part do the Saxons games next year if they continue to play like they have been. The twin brothers who played in the sevens for Sale definitely look the part and should be coming off the conveyor belt in a couple if years. Mitchell should be ready for his break out year this year as well.

think i might retire.......might take up rugby union mind

Tuned in at half time, was a little bit surprised by the score. 

Now a TBP inside 2 minutes of the second half.

The comeback is on, Wasps are gonna win this.

Edit: thankfully I was wrong, Sale surprised me with how well they regrouped to stop Wasps' momentum.

Couple of good substitutions from Sale really made the difference and helped stabilise their defence. Wasps did well to come back in to the game and gain momentum but no fourth try will frustrate them, especially with the fire power they had on the pitch.

I hadn't really thought about it, but obviously all the club to club transfers had made this fixture a bit of a feeder club bites hand off dog man thingy. Still with Beale and especially cipriani playing like a couple of after you tarts, I thought I was watching the rebels at their assertive best. Well played Sale.

kingelderfield wrote:I hadn't really thought about it, but obviously all the club to club transfers had made this fixture a bit of a feeder club bites hand off dog man thingy. Still with Beale and especially cipriani playing like a couple of after you tarts, I thought I was watching the rebels at their assertive best. Well played Sale.

I think they make a pair of very ugly tarts.

Any more chatter about Joss Strauss coming over to you guys?

Not as yet, still very much rumour.