Alex Sanderson reveals how Sale will take "the next step" this season ahead of PREM opener

“Thursday is ‘baby Friday,’ that’s what they call it nowadays. It’s the start of the weekend for Generation Z. So hopefully we’ll get a few new fans down.”

Despite the midweek scheduling quirks, Sale have reason to be optimistic. They were near-imperious at home last season, losing just once in the Premiership at the Salford Community Stadium — a narrow defeat to eventual champions Bath — and they’ll be eager to continue making their ground a fortress.

“Winning at the start is important. Talking’s done. Now we’ve got to be good to our words. That starts Thursday, then Friday recovery, every step. If we all prepare, all of us, to do what’s right by the team, the outcomes will look after themselves,” Sanderson said.

After falling short in last season’s semi-final against Leicester Tigers and missing out on silverware again — their only Premiership title remains their 2006 win — there’s a clear hunger within the club to take the next step.

“There is a sense of failure (within the squad) because we haven't achieved what we are capable of achieving. I don't think that we have been at our best when the moment has required it. That is what I'm desperate for, to make good on the talent that we have within the building and be good on our words,” said Sanderson. “We’ve had so many preseason conversations about taking the next step — not just in accolades, but in consistency of preparation and performance.”

There have been changes behind the scenes too. Former captain Ben Curry has passed the armband to Ernst van Rhyn, a tough-tackling back-rower with an engine to match. Curry’s ongoing England commitments and a self-aware sense of timing prompted the leadership handover.

“Where Ben is now compared to two years ago is a totally different situation. He recognises that what’s best for the group is someone who can drive standards consistently, in and out of international windows… It was actually him who said, ‘It’s probably time for a change.’ That was the main driving influence, his maturity about the situation.”

Van Rhyn, Sanderson says, embodies everything the club wants to stand for. “Your captain’s got to exemplify not just strategy, but the values that underpin what you’re about as a team. And Ernie does that — boundless energy and unparalleled positivity,” he said.

That internal energy has been supported by coaching changes too, with the additions of Marco Bortolami and Joe Ford, part of a deliberate move to modernise Sale’s structure.

“We learned from Toulouse. They weren’t hierarchical, they were aligned in methodology, language, visuals. We realised that’s what we want — not a rigid hierarchy, but a flexible coaching structure.”

Sanderson’s coaching group has worked hard in preseason, having enjoyed a training camp in Portugal, tactical tweaks, and a focus on deeper individual motivation

“We’ve dived pretty deep in the last few weeks. We’ve worked on their personal, individual motivational drivers, making it as intrinsic as possible, not external,” he explained. “We’ve tried to do our work early to give us the best platform to start the season well.”

In terms of selection, Sale will be close to full strength, with their internationals available to be selected after completing their mandatory rest. Tom Curry remains out as he continues rehab, while Dan du Preez is also sidelined with a minor calf injury. But otherwise, Sanderson is confident the squad is primed.

“The ones who’ve trained hard, we’ll back them to perform. They’ve looked sharp, which is what you want. you want them feeling ready and up for selection in the first game. I feel we’re there for the most part.”

Gloucester, meanwhile, are known for their fast, transition-heavy style, but Sanderson is clear that Sale won’t be drawn into copying it.

“You can fall into playing Gloucester’s game if you’re not careful. But we’re not trying to be Gloucester, or Bristol of last year.” he said. “I want an evolution from last year on not being as pragmatic as we were at the start of the season."