SALE ARE PSYCHED UP FOR THIS ONE
Sanderson seeks spark after dire first leg
SALE director of rugby Alex Sanderson insists things can only get better for players and spectators in their last-16 Champions Cup second-leg clash at Bristol tonight.
The teams served up one of the worst games in the tournament’s history last week, with Bristol edging a grim affair 10-9.
Sanderson this week enlisted the help of a neuropsychologist who has worked with the special forces to help with understanding the dynamics of teamwork.
But he did not bother raking over the coals of the shocking first leg at the AJ Bell.
Sanderson said: “If you start delving too deep you take too long to get over it, so we haven’t.
“We’ve looked into how we can get better, work harder, get tighter as a team to get a better performance rather than look back.
“The players were frustrated and felt they never got going. Bristol came with a plan, a good plan, because they came away with a onepoint win.
“There were such a high degree of mistakes and turnovers from both sides, I don’t think they would be proud of the way they played either.
“We know we are better than that and how could it be any worse? The commitment was there from both sides but the execution wasn’t.”
Sharks have Manu Tuilagi starting his second game since February after his hamstring troubles but scrum-half Raffi Quirke is out for a few weeks after pulling his hamstring.
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam has again gone for a strong bench to ensure the Bears finish strongly. Semi Radradra, Charles Piutau and John Afoa were all substitutes last Saturday, with Radradra, below, scoring the game-breaking try – and Lam repeats the trick tonight. Nathan Hughes, the No.8, starts his second match since returning rejuvenated from a loan spell at Bath.
Lam said: “It is great to have him back. His contacts in the tackle and his carries were great. There are back rowers who do more off the ball but certain players have their super strengths and he has found that again.” ❑ LEICESTER centre Guy Porter has been banned for three games after his red card in Sunday’s 29-10 win over Clermont in their first leg.