The Sharks team to play Gloucester has been announced. Selection, it seems, was easy; pick every fit and available player.
Rhys Jones, Chris Bell, Chris Mayor, Mark Taylor, Oriol Ripol, Richard Wigglesworth, Ben Foden, Eifion Roberts, Andy Titterrell, Barry Stewart, Dean Schofield, Chris Day, Chris Jones, Michael Hills, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe
Replacements: Sebastien Bruno, Stuart Turner, Ben Evans, David Tait/Sebastien Chabal, Andrew Vilk, Matt Riley, Jon Bryant/Selorm Kuadey
Friday, January 26, 2007
International Sharks
With the Six nations looming Sale Sharks players feature in a number of international sqauds.
Brian Ashton looks set to pick Magnus Lund as openside flanker when he names his England Squad on monday. Jason Robinson, previously ruled out becasue of injury, seems a more likely bet as each day passes.
Five Sale players feature in the Saxons Squad: Richard Wigglesworth, Chris Jones, Andy Titterell, Stuart Turner and Dean Schofield.
Andy Vilk and Michael Hills have been picked for the new look England Sevens squad.
Also sure to feature will be any or all of Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (whose brother looks set for a return to the Sharks jersey following injury), and the French powerhouses Sebastien Bruno and Sebastien Chabal.
Brian Ashton looks set to pick Magnus Lund as openside flanker when he names his England Squad on monday. Jason Robinson, previously ruled out becasue of injury, seems a more likely bet as each day passes.
Five Sale players feature in the Saxons Squad: Richard Wigglesworth, Chris Jones, Andy Titterell, Stuart Turner and Dean Schofield.
Andy Vilk and Michael Hills have been picked for the new look England Sevens squad.
Also sure to feature will be any or all of Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (whose brother looks set for a return to the Sharks jersey following injury), and the French powerhouses Sebastien Bruno and Sebastien Chabal.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
A rose by another name?
The current buzz words coming out of RFU headquarters are "central management". In return for a reported £5-£6 million pounds the England management will take control of the elite players for almost half the season, and for the other half they will still be able to dictate when and where they play. There is also the suggestion of a financial reward for teams which field a greater percentage of England qualified players.
What will this do for the premiership? The salary cap will be raised and without the responsibility for the salaries of top players, clubs should have more money to spend bringing in players. They could choose to bring in quality players from overseas (Dan Carter anyone?)which would maintain or indeed raise the standard of the rugby we watch but would be expensive. Or they could concentrate on young England qualified players who would cost less in terms of salary and at the same time earn bonus payments from the RFU. But wait, aren't these the same young players we can watch in the A League already? And for a lot less money?
If the clubs take this route how will they persuade supporters to pay the same price to watch what might be largely a youth team? How many supporters will be lost when the big names are absent for so long? This plan may be good for England, financially it may even be good for the clubs but will it be good for the supporters. As a friend said today "I don't come to watch the balance sheet, I come to watch the best players".
What will this do for the premiership? The salary cap will be raised and without the responsibility for the salaries of top players, clubs should have more money to spend bringing in players. They could choose to bring in quality players from overseas (Dan Carter anyone?)which would maintain or indeed raise the standard of the rugby we watch but would be expensive. Or they could concentrate on young England qualified players who would cost less in terms of salary and at the same time earn bonus payments from the RFU. But wait, aren't these the same young players we can watch in the A League already? And for a lot less money?
If the clubs take this route how will they persuade supporters to pay the same price to watch what might be largely a youth team? How many supporters will be lost when the big names are absent for so long? This plan may be good for England, financially it may even be good for the clubs but will it be good for the supporters. As a friend said today "I don't come to watch the balance sheet, I come to watch the best players".
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Sharks Shorts
Sale Sharks took pre-emptive action today and banned Daniel Larrechea for 3 weeks. Larry has been cited following our game against Neath Swansea Ospreys last Saturday which saw several Sharks players, including Sebastien Chabal, appear to vent their frustration over the perceived failure of referee Alain Roland to adequately control the game. The players were not alone in their anger and frustration, supporters were left confused and dismayed by many refereeing decisions during the game.
Although the action is suspending Larry causes selection headaches for our away game against Gloucester this Saturday, our consolation is Larry will get a much needed rest and time for any niggling injuries to heal.
Injuries: As reported Lionel Faure will be out for 8 weeks following a medial ligament injury sustained during the game against Ospreys, however reports of serious injury to Sebastien Chabal appear to have been exaggerated though he is struggling with a sore arm and hip. Ben Foden is also reported to have a swollen hand.
Kingsley Jones said in the Stockport Express: "We are used to it now, we are over the worst and I am looking forward to going to my old club Gloucester. We beat them two weeks ago after a very bad start to the game, so there is everything to play for.
"The spirit shown by the players gets us through, but Kingsholm is not a venue where you can start poorly."
If ever the team needed a 16th Man the time is now. If you're going to Gloucester on Saturday, make sure your voice is heard!
Although the action is suspending Larry causes selection headaches for our away game against Gloucester this Saturday, our consolation is Larry will get a much needed rest and time for any niggling injuries to heal.
Injuries: As reported Lionel Faure will be out for 8 weeks following a medial ligament injury sustained during the game against Ospreys, however reports of serious injury to Sebastien Chabal appear to have been exaggerated though he is struggling with a sore arm and hip. Ben Foden is also reported to have a swollen hand.
Kingsley Jones said in the Stockport Express: "We are used to it now, we are over the worst and I am looking forward to going to my old club Gloucester. We beat them two weeks ago after a very bad start to the game, so there is everything to play for.
"The spirit shown by the players gets us through, but Kingsholm is not a venue where you can start poorly."
If ever the team needed a 16th Man the time is now. If you're going to Gloucester on Saturday, make sure your voice is heard!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Heineken cup shakedown
The group stages are all over, and there is no room for the Sharks.
Salesupporters.co.uk has a match report on the Ospreys game ...
Other interesting points from the Cup: The French are out of it next year for sure, and I cant see England staying put either, Who would want to win such a devalued competition?
Also, I cant help but think Sale dont need the Quarter finals right nbow. Further doubts over the fitness of Mark Cueto (claims himself that he wont make the England Squad v Scotland) and Jason Robinson (failed to make the bench against Ospreys having failed a fitness test).
There are also nasty rumours afoot about thet state of Sebastien Chabal's arm and Lionel Faures leg .... this pundit woudl place money on one of them being out for a month or two.
However, all said and done the team played a blinding game, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Ben Foden being the stars, and they can look forward to regaining some Premiership form.
Salesupporters.co.uk has a match report on the Ospreys game ...
Other interesting points from the Cup: The French are out of it next year for sure, and I cant see England staying put either, Who would want to win such a devalued competition?
Also, I cant help but think Sale dont need the Quarter finals right nbow. Further doubts over the fitness of Mark Cueto (claims himself that he wont make the England Squad v Scotland) and Jason Robinson (failed to make the bench against Ospreys having failed a fitness test).
There are also nasty rumours afoot about thet state of Sebastien Chabal's arm and Lionel Faures leg .... this pundit woudl place money on one of them being out for a month or two.
However, all said and done the team played a blinding game, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Ben Foden being the stars, and they can look forward to regaining some Premiership form.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Wounded Sharks
The Times has an interesting article today about the Sale Sharks injury list. Click here for the full story ....
The injury list
Nathan Bonner-Evans (No 8), knee; John Bryant (centre), calf; John Carter (flanker), shoulder; Mark Cueto (wing), calf; Ignacio Fernández Lobbe (lock), hamstring; Charlie Hodgson (fly half, pictured), knee; Sililo Martens (scrum half), shoulder; Elvis Seveali’i (centre), shoulder; Andrew Sheridan (prop), ankle; Lee Thomas (centre), arm; Jason White (flanker), knee
Injured this season
Chris Bell (centre), thumb; David Blair (fly half), back; Sébastien Bruno (hooker), spine; Chris Day (lock), knee; Lionel Fauré (prop), leg; Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (flanker), chest; Eifion Roberts (prop), knee; Dean Schofield (lock), shoulder; David Tait (back row), leg; Andy Titterrell (hooker), neck
The injury list
Nathan Bonner-Evans (No 8), knee; John Bryant (centre), calf; John Carter (flanker), shoulder; Mark Cueto (wing), calf; Ignacio Fernández Lobbe (lock), hamstring; Charlie Hodgson (fly half, pictured), knee; Sililo Martens (scrum half), shoulder; Elvis Seveali’i (centre), shoulder; Andrew Sheridan (prop), ankle; Lee Thomas (centre), arm; Jason White (flanker), knee
Injured this season
Chris Bell (centre), thumb; David Blair (fly half), back; Sébastien Bruno (hooker), spine; Chris Day (lock), knee; Lionel Fauré (prop), leg; Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (flanker), chest; Eifion Roberts (prop), knee; Dean Schofield (lock), shoulder; David Tait (back row), leg; Andy Titterrell (hooker), neck
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Heineken Cup final round
This weekend sees the final round of the group stages of the Heienken Cup, and it is still all to play for. Many thought that by losing their opening game away to the Ospreys, the Sharks had effectively ruined their Cup hopes. A mile long injury list since that point has not helped confidence in the Sale faithful, however, the picture is not so bleak as perhaps it looks.
Stade will win the group, short of a miracle. But Sale or Ospreys could easily qualify with 20 points. The game on Saturday will be quite a bruiser then - both sides needing the win and four tries. Sale will be keen to build on recent form, and will be even more keen to teach the Ospreys a lesson. After their narrow victory at home in Wales there was much crowing. Lets see how Edgeley reacts.
Stade will win the group, short of a miracle. But Sale or Ospreys could easily qualify with 20 points. The game on Saturday will be quite a bruiser then - both sides needing the win and four tries. Sale will be keen to build on recent form, and will be even more keen to teach the Ospreys a lesson. After their narrow victory at home in Wales there was much crowing. Lets see how Edgeley reacts.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Sale's Fly Half crisis deepens
Way back during the Autumn Internationals Sale Sharks lost Charlie Hodgson for the season to a knee injury.
Daniel Larrechea took over the number 10 shirt, though his was a troubled stint. Having played at 15 for a couple of years he found it hard to get up to speed.
Welsh centre Lee Thomas took over, but promptly broke his arm against Newcastle on Boxing Day.
David Blair took over to start this week's match against Gloucester, but a knee in the back has left him out of action for eight weeks. Larrechea took over the duties for a few minutes before running from the pitch, having vomited.
Sale are now left with Richard Wigglesworth as their only fly half.
Daniel Larrechea took over the number 10 shirt, though his was a troubled stint. Having played at 15 for a couple of years he found it hard to get up to speed.
Welsh centre Lee Thomas took over, but promptly broke his arm against Newcastle on Boxing Day.
David Blair took over to start this week's match against Gloucester, but a knee in the back has left him out of action for eight weeks. Larrechea took over the duties for a few minutes before running from the pitch, having vomited.
Sale are now left with Richard Wigglesworth as their only fly half.
Paris memories
SSSC News: Paris Memories
Sale Supporter Joe Williams goes in search of lost time with this report of the Heineken Cup away match against Stade Francais in Paris. Click here for the report ...
Sale Supporter Joe Williams goes in search of lost time with this report of the Heineken Cup away match against Stade Francais in Paris. Click here for the report ...
Victory at last
Sharks News: Sharks win in Edgeley thriller
Sale fought back from a 3-16 defecit against an impressive looking Gloucester team to win the match 20-19. There were stand-out performances from Juan Fernandez Lobbe, Andy Titterel, Sebasiten Bruno, Magnus Lund and Richard Wigglesworth. A full report will appear shortly on salesupporters.co.uk
Sale fought back from a 3-16 defecit against an impressive looking Gloucester team to win the match 20-19. There were stand-out performances from Juan Fernandez Lobbe, Andy Titterel, Sebasiten Bruno, Magnus Lund and Richard Wigglesworth. A full report will appear shortly on salesupporters.co.uk
Supporters Club Evening
SSSC News: Supporters Club Evening, January 16th, 2007
The Sale Sharks Supporters Club hosts an evening with Sale Sharks Chairman Niels de Vos on the 16th January. Click here for full details ...
The Sale Sharks Supporters Club hosts an evening with Sale Sharks Chairman Niels de Vos on the 16th January. Click here for full details ...
Matale bucket collection
The Sale Sharks Supporters club recently organised a bucket collection in aid of Stockport schools' links with Matale, Sri Lanka. Supporters at December's match at Edgeley Park agaist Harlequins dug into their poockets and gave generously.
Click here to read more about where the money went ...
Click here to read more about where the money went ...
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