Cliff: Home form is vital for us
SCRUM-HALF Will Cliff claims it is imperative for Sale to mark their opening home fixture with a win to set the tone for the season.
The Sharks began their Premiership Rugby campaign with a disheartening defeat to Harlequins last weekend and Cliff is keen to establish the AJ Bell Stadium as a fortress, starting against Worcester Warriors tomorrow.
Whilst Worcester narrowly lost to Wasps, Steve Diamond’s men suffered a 51-23 reverse at Quins – being punished for a number of defensive errors in the second half.
“In the first half we did well to go 17-10 up but there were a few soft turnovers and individual errors that we know we can tidy up,” said Cliff.
“It is never fun to watch but at least it is something we can review and target in training.
“Our home form is vital. We have got a decent home record and we pride ourselves on that. We want to make the AJ Bell a tough place to come.
“We need to get off to a winning start at home.”
Sharks fans should be buoyed by the performance of fly-half AJ MacGinty, who scored 18 of Sale’s 23 points. Cliff and MacGinty formed a quietly effective half-back partnership and with first-choice scrumhalf Faf de Klerk with South Africa for another month, Cliff is looking forward to his relationship with the American international blossoming.
“It is nice to play,” said the 29-year-old. “Obviously Faf is a great player. There are quite a few bits of Faf’s game that I have worked on myself. I have worked alongside him and know exactly how good a player he is. “I certainly enjoy playing alongside AJ. He’s a great organiser of the team, getting our attacking structures in place. The team just seems to tick when he’s in it.”
Cliff also believes a mix of local players and experienced competitors will help the Sharks improve on last season’s eighth-place finish.
“It is always good to have lads from around the Sale area who have grown up with the club and supported it their whole lives,” added Cliff.
Jose Beaumont returns at No.8 tomorrow, while Mark Jennings comes in at inside centre.