Sale Sharks Face Tough Questions: A Blip or a Decline After a Challenging Season?
For the previous three seasons, Sale Sharks have stood out as the northern powerhouse of English club rugby. However, the current campaign has left them battered and bruised, testing their foundations severely. Director of rugby Alex Sanderson described it as the "longest, hardest, most challenging season I've ever had." They finished seventh after winning only five of their 18 Prem matches, ending up a staggering 27 points adrift of the playoff spots. Despite starting the season strong with two wins from their first three games, the Sharks faced a dramatic decline. A crushing 65-14 defeat against Saracens in October marked the beginning of their struggles. A surprising 27-26 home loss to Exeter Chiefs in November further hinted at underlying issues, as they squandered a 20-point lead. Home games, typically a strength, turned into a liability with more losses than wins at CorpAcq Stadium. A January defeat to Northampton Saints effectively ended their top-four hopes with eight games remaining. The season saw historic losses, including a 77-7 defeat to Toulouse in the Champions Cup and an 85-19 humiliation by Saracens. Injuries played a significant role, with key players like Tom and Ben Curry, Tom Roebuck, and others missing large parts of the season. Coaching changes also impacted stability, as Marco Bortolami left after just six months, and Byron McGuigan departed in March. Despite the adversity, Sanderson remains optimistic, expressing gratitude for the lessons learned during tough times. Looking ahead, Sale has bolstered their squad for next season by signing England internationals Courtney Lawes, Joe Marchant, and Alex Lozowski, along with Welsh front-rowers Nicky Smith and Tomas Francis, aiming to ease the pressure on their promising homegrown talent.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-06-10