Reed all about debut teen star
SALE WINGER READY TO MAKE HIS MARK IN SHARKS FIRST TEAM
SALE are aiming to grab their first back-to-back Gallagher Premiership wins of the season on Sunday when they travel to the Recreation Ground to take on Bath.
The Sharks are coming off an important 18-13 victory against Northampton Saints last week – when they introduced their supporters to some new talent.
Director of rugby Steve Diamond handed a Premiership debut to Arron Reed, a 19-year-old winger who has been with the club since he was 15.
Despite the arrival of several new players from overseas, Diamond and the club are keen to maintain a big contingent of local north west players in the side.
And Reed, who is from Chester, was delighted to be handed his league debut as the club means a lot to him.
“I’ve grown up watching the Sharks,” he told M.E.N. Sport.
“I felt comfortable with everyone around me, everyone talked to me and made me feel a part of the team.”
Reed was one of the stand-out performers against Northampton last week, coming close to scoring several times.
He said: “I was really happy, I really enjoyed the game and I was just happy to make my family and friends proud.”
The former England U18 international had previously made appearances from the bench in the European Challenge Cup and the Premiership Rugby Cup for Sale.
The winger even earned a nomination for Premiership Rugby Cup breakthrough player for his performance against Saracens, where he set up a try and gained 100-plus metres with the ball in hand.
“Whenever I get the ball I just try to go and run as fast as I can and be as explosive as possible,” he said.
“It meant a lot being recognised and that people are realising I’m doing well.”
It may have been his debut, but Reed quickly noticed the difference in quality between cup and Premiership rugby.
He said: “The league is much different to the Premiership Cup, more young lads are given their chance in the cup, compared to the league where everyone is good and experienced.”
The winger will be looking to continue his fine form this weekend against Bath.
“I think we can win and we will win, we are on a roll now and I think we have a great opportunity to go down there and beat them,” he said.