Can the crushed semi-finalists lick their wounds and return to the ultimate once more like 2023?
Sale have been on the up lately, however a title has eluded them. Might they be the sixth totally different winner in as a few years? Right here’s our Sale Sharks Gallagher Premiership preview…
Dialogue factors
Learn extra: Newcastle Falcons Gallagher Premiership preview
Alex Sanderson’s prolonged contract is Sale’s greatest signing of 2024, the DoR having steered Sharks to the play-offs in three of his 4 campaigns since 2021.
Manu Tuilagi (Bayonne) and Sam James (Racing 92 with Owen Farrell) have gone from the midfield however in comes esteemed Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu and the returning Will Addison, whereas 6ft 8in lock Le Roux Roets arrives two years after Sale’s makes an attempt to signal him have been foiled by crimson tape. “He likes to bang exhausting,” says Sanderson.
George Ford, excused tour obligation this summer season, heads a again division containing the massively constant Rob du Preez (55 consecutive league begins) and newly capped trio Tom Roebuck, Arron Reed and Gus Warr.
Sale’s physicality is famend however they must be extra medical – their 30% crimson zone effectivity final season was the worst behind Newcastle and Leicester. The membership stage a double header on 7 September, the beginning of a programme of occasions to mark 25 years because the ‘Sharks’ moniker was adopted.
Key participant
Tom Curry is restored to the ranks after a season through which he performed simply 34 minutes domestically following hip surgical procedure. In tandem with twin brother Ben, his fellow England back-rower, anticipate him to hound opponents to distraction.
One to observe
Full-back Joe Carpenter toured Japan and New Zealand with England with out making an look over the summer season (Getty Pictures)
Joe Carpenter is knocking on the England door at full-back, however will 20-year-old tighthead Asher Opoku-Fordjour beat him to a Take a look at cap? The prop earned rave critiques for his scrummaging final time period and helped England win the Junior World Cup with one other superlative set-piece effort.
Coaches’ field
Head coach Paul Deacon, the previous GB league worldwide, is nearing ten years on the membership. Dorian West (forwards), Byron McGuigan (backs) and Jamie Langley (defence) are key males.
Learn extra: All of the Gallagher Premiership 2024-25 shirts revealed and ranked!
Prediction
A settled squad – they definitely have the look of a top-four facet.
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