Sanderson backs his 'squadfather'

ALEX Sanderson says Sale will be a different proposition in the Premiership play-offs than they were two years ago in his first campaign in charge when they lost at Exeter in the semi-final. 

- PAUL REES

The Sharks confirmed their place in the play-offs in the last round when, with the Curry brothers in full swing, they overwhelmed Bristol at Ashton Gate, and they finish the regular season at home to Newcastle next month.

“I was too emotional at this point two years ago,” said Sanderson, Sale’s director of rugby. “It probably came too early for me. It is very hard to get into the play-offs and we want to do justice to the effort we have put in for the last nine months.

“We are not taking anything for granted and it is just about understanding how we can continue to get better. There have been some honest conversations around the place and some of our most intense training sessions in the last couple of weeks.”