Curry in Six Nations
AFTER one of the most high-profile World Cups, all rugby fans are looking forward to more major international action with the Six Nations kicking off next month.
England, as World Cup runners-up with dominant wins over Australia and New Zealand last year, should enter the tournament as favourites.
However, with coach Steve Borthwick departing and eight previously uncapped players called up, we will have to see how the side adapts, especially with a run of three challenging away games. Our own Tom Curry is back in the England squad, which will come as no surprise to anyone after his standout performances in Japan.
It’s also fantastic to see WillGriff John and Byron McGuigan earn deserved call ups to the Wales and Scotland squads respectively.
We’re looking forward to cheering them on in what should be an interesting and ever-entertaining competition.
Back in the Gallagher Premiership, 2020 got off to an explosive start for Rugby Union, with the news breaking on Saracen’s confirmed relegation and £5.4m fine for breaking the salary cap rules.
The relegation means the competition for a top-four spot will be tighter than ever, and Sale Sharks will be right up there in the battle to qualify for next season’s Heineken Champions Cup.
That fight continues today as we travel to Exeter looking to bounce back from last week’s loss to Glasgow Warriors.
It proved a good chance to give some of our youngsters a run-out, which saw us line-up 10 Under-21s against no less than 17 internationals from the Warriors.
While it might have been a baptism of fire for them, it gave them invaluable experience as they progress towards playing senior rugby regularly.
Off the back of a fantastic trip away to La Rochelle with our key club partners, we welcomed over 100 people to a bespoke networking event with Cheadle-based lending firm Together at Harvey Nichols in Manchester.
Chris Ashton, Tom Curry, Mark Wilson and I held a Q+A, and the motivation they have to make our season a successful on was clear to see.
Next Friday we return to the AJ Bell Stadium for a big Premiership Cup clash against Saracens which is sure to be entertaining.
We won four from four in the earlier rounds of the competition, and the reality is that should things go well, we’re three games away from silverware.