Cliff desperate to take chance as Faf recovers
SALE scrum-half Will Cliff has had limited opportunities for firstteam action since Faf de Klerk’s return to the squad after winning the World Cup with South Africa.
However, the 31-year-old has started the past three games for Sharks, and has another chance to impress director of rugby Steve Diamond in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership clash with league leaders Exeter.
A knee injury suffered against Bath at the back end of December has seen De Klerk on the sidelines. However, he will be back soon, and Cliff knows he has a limited number of chances to show what he can do in the first team.
“You go out and do your best each week and try to add to the team and the performance,” he told M.E.N. Sport.
“Faf will be back in a few weeks and he’s a great player and no doubt he’ll be straight back in to the side, but when I’m called up to play, I like to think I can do a good job.
Despite being side-lined since De Klerk’s return, Cliff was a regular starter at the beginning of the season when the World Cup was on and a number of Sharks players were in Japan.
Therefore, he has an important place in the squad, and he seems pleased with his season so far.
He said: “I’m feeling good, I think myself and the team has improved as the season has gone on and if we can keep going that way, we will be happy.”
Sale’s target from the off this season was to make the Premiership play-offs and there is a growing belief that it’s something they can achieve, despite them suffering an early exit in from the Heineken Cup.
A bonus point win on Saturday would see them move to within a point of Exeter.
And the Macclesfield-born former Bristol player believes they are on track to reach the play-offs.
“Definitely. We said that at the start of the season, and I think this is possibly the first season that the lads have really started believing that,” he said.
“We’re in a strong position at the minute and the way it’s going and the way we’re feeling as a squad, we feel like it’s definitely within our grasp.
“I think it’s a building process, year on year, the squad’s stayed relatively similar and in the squad at the minute there’s a real competition for places.”
However, the focus now is firmly on the present and so looking ahead to the top of the table clash with Exeter on Saturday, Cliff said: “We had a good day training today, the first proper day focusing on Exeter and that went well.
“Our last run out in the league against Quins was a great result and we’re confident on the back of that so we’re looking forward to it.”