Sharks look to bounce back

Sale Sharks head to Vicarage Road this weekend off the back of a second half humiliation handed out by the dominant Leicester Tigers.  Sharks executive director of sport Steve Diamond admitted it was a "reality check," after his side conceded 31 unanswered points after leading 13-3 at half time.

Tom Brady scored his sides solitary try as the game ebbed towards half time, but in reality the Edgeley Park outfit could and possibly should have headed into the break with a bigger margin.  Mark Cueto broke down the left wing but was unable to break through, while on more than one occasion shoddy handling skills or ill discipline cost them.  A late tackle prevented Rob Miller from going over, while Brady was denied by the television match official after beating a dawdling Geordan Murphy.

The opening try however was a very well worked move, initiated by the quick thinking Dwayne Peel.  The Welsh Scrum Half took a quick penalty and released Miller, who in turn fed Brady for a deserved score.
Following this though it was all downhill.  A different Leicester emerged in the Second half, with a pack that dominated for a full 40 minutes.  Including two tries as a direct result of driving mauls.  Toby Flood added 16 of his 19 points in this period of the game, as a startled Sale side saw first hand the standard that has to be met to compete at the highest level in The Aviva Premiership.

Saracens are the focus this weekend, who sit one place and seven points over the Stockport based side.  A whole host of sides are now breathing down the neck of Sale hoping to knock them down the league, a scenario that is more than likely going to materialise sooner rather than later.  Atleast the Sale fan's can look forward to a season minus relegation scrap, something that has been all to familiar in recent season.

Speaking to the club's official website, Diamond said:  "It's a long time ago since I left Saracens. They have created a super franchise. They are now going away from home and winning at Gloucester, so we know that we are up against a top side on Sunday.
 
" In the end it's all about our performance this weekend. If we get it right in our set piece and defence then we stand a chance of getting something out of the game. They are one of the top super clubs in England right now and if you get anything from them away from home, then you are doing well."

Below is the Sale Sharks side in full for Sunday's clash


15.Rob Miller, 14.Will Addison, 13.Johnny Leota, 12.Sam Tuitupou (capt), 11.Mark Cueto, 10.Nick Macleod, 9.Will Cliff, 1.Alasdair Dickinson, 2.Tommy Taylor, 3.Henry Thomas, 4.Fraser McKenzie, 5.James Gaskell, 6.Richie Vernon. 7.David Seymour, 8.Andy Powell

Replacements 

16.Marc Jones, 17.Vadim Cobilas, 18.Tony Buckley, 19.Kearnan Myall, 20.Mark Easter, 21.Cillian Willis, 22.Tasesa Lavea, 23.Tom Brady

Final day is upon us!

Leicester Tigers and Saracens fight it out later today for the right to be Guinness Premiership Champions.

And while Leicester are seasoned pro's, and have experienced this occasion for the last six consecutive seasons, Saracens are relatively new to this.

Following last years South African but out, plenty of people from that very same nation have found there over to Vicarage Road, including influential Director of Rugby Brendan Venter who is of course banned from attending today.

While Leicester who have to be considered favourites after there overwhelming first place finish in the regular season, you can't count out Sarries.

If they are to triumph though they have to recreate the game at Welford Road earlier this month, when against the odds again they beat today's opponents 32-23 on there remarkable home patch.

Glen Jackson, who's retiring after the game, has been kicking everything in recent week and he has to continue this form to force mistakes from the Tigers pack as they did three weeks ago.

Anther thing they have to do is fight from first to last.

They did that terribly well at Welford Road, but if you give this Tigers side any space they will punish you in the utmost fashion.

The Sarries pack dominated at 8 May, and if they can do that again the pendulum will no doubt swing in there favour.

Following that victory not so long ago, it could be argued that Sarries will be going into the match the more confident.

They cannot let that go to there heads, but if they follow that same blueprint for success there's no doubt they will walk away from Twickenham as Premiership Champions.