Alex Sanderson: Sale boss calls for Sharks to 'fix up defence' for Bristol Bears clash

However, we are expecting a different encounter with the weather allowing for Bristol to play their expansive brand of rugby. Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson is very familiar with Pat Lam’s Bristol side having played them a further two times in the PREM Cup.

“If we can fix up the defence from last week and marry it up with the attacking intent we have had in the past couple of weeks, we will be tough to beat ourselves.”

Despite the obvious surround the league table and gaining Champions Cup rugby the big motivator for Sanderson is around “finishing the season on a good feeling and sending the lads off well and repaying our owners Si and Chelle who have unconditionally supported the club financially and emotionally.

A bitterly disappointing 45-42 away to Newcastle Red Bulls with a 35-7 second half score favouring the hosts was not something on Sanderson’s radar; or anyone’s for that matter. “A whole range of issues” said the DoR, and it’s quite difficult going into a last game of the season with how much can be learnt going into the following week.

One thing that was learnt by the Sharks’ coaching staff is about England international Tom Roebuck. Usually playing on the wing, the 12 time capped star played his hand at outside centre for the first time professionally. Following suit to fellow compatriot Tommy Freeman and All Blacks megastar Reiko Ioane, Sanderson praised the 25 year old highly.

“He’s big and physical. He’s obviously got speed and he’s good in the air and he is at a stage where he is very comfortable in the wild channel.”

How much more we will see of Roebuck at 13 is a question to be answered with the likes of Marius Louw and Luke James being available as well as Joe Marchant and Alex Lowzowski joining for the 26/27 campaign as the decision was “forced” due to the absentees the Sharks had going up to Tyneside.

Club captain Ernst van Rhyn spoke about his first season as captain of the club and the honour and privilege it has been to lead the Sharks out this season “I was very privileged to be asked at the beginning of the season,” said van Rhyn, “looking back, I have learnt a lot and grown a lot, it hasn’t been the easiest of season, but in some way, despite that I can say I have enjoyed it.”

Results haven’t gone the way of the Sharks this season, especially domestically suffering 13 defeats across the PREM campaign, but van Rhyn still has the hunger and desire to take Sale forward.

Also, van Rhyn and Sanderson spoke in depth about how the younger lads like Seb Kelly and Ollie Davies. Looking at the short term, both really praised Kelly coming in and getting his first start in last weeks heartbreaking result up on Tyneside against the Red Bulls as well as Alfie Longstaff who always had the mobility but has been working incredibly hard on the technical side to playing hooker.

In particular, Ben Bamber has really progressed in his captain’s eyes, “he has taken massive strides with calling our lineouts all season.”

Moreover, for van Rhyn, he is looking forward to having his workload lightened next campaign after having a fully fit season. The signings of Christ Tshiunza and Courtney Lawes “excites” the South African.

“I welcome the competition, and you become better mates with the guys in your position. It’s more about learning from them, especially with a guy like Courtney, with their different strengths and different traits that you can tap in to help my game but ultimately the team also.”