Sanderson: We'll come back better

ALEX Sanderson is an ebullient, upbeat character who tries to ride the waves of professional sport with a smile on his face.

- PAUL REES

But even Sale's director of rugby could not hide his deflation after his side's season ended in defeat at Bath last week in the Premiership play-off semi-final.

"I will turn my frown upside down when I am on the coach," said Sanderson, reflecting on a season of contrasts: a strong start and finish with a slew of defeats in between.

No club won more matches in the regular season than the Sharks, 12 out of 18, but their lack of try bonus points meant they had to travel in the play-offs, a stage where home advantage invariably makes the difference.

Sale finished third, four points behind the top two, and no team has ever gone on to claim the title from that position. The Sharks gave it a go at Bath, recovering from 13 points down to lead with 15 minutes to go, but injuries had left them with a flanker in the second row and no Manu Tuilagi prowling the midfield.

It was Sale's third semi-final appearance in four years, but having reached the final a year ago, when Saracens finished the stronger at Twickenham, Sanderson had spent last summer plotting to go one better.