Sharks primed for South African waters – Deacon
ATTACK coach Paul Deacon believes Sale’s rebirth as a power in English rugby will be underlined by the number of Test calls their star players receive this summer.
With livewire scrumhalf Faf De Klerk being tipped for a recall to South Africa colours this June and the Curry brothers, Tom and Ben, pushing hard for England places along with Denny Solomona and Marland Yarde, Sale are well set for a bumper representation.
England-qualified South African back rower Jono Ross may also be a Red Rose addition, while winger Byron McGuigan looks certain to tour with Scotland – proof, insists Deacon, that Sale are building towards a top four challenge next season.
“It’s really good for the club if a lot of our players play internationally,” said Deacon, below. “They bring that experience back and it’s brilliant for recruitment moving forward.
“Players will look at Sale, see we’ve got internationals and know they’re not going to miss out on Test honours if they sign for us.”
Yarde, a revelation for Sale since his controversial departure from Harlequins in October, merits an England recall on current form, says Deacon, who believes Solomona’s recent suspension should not prevent him touring.
Deacon, 39, said: “Denny would love to get called up by England and he’s got a very good chance. He’s been razor sharp and his absence has cost us three or four tries. He’s a high quality player whose ban should not count against him.
“I don’t see why Marland shouldn’t get another crack either. He’s played at the highest level and brought that form to Sale, so he’s up with the best wingers in the competition.” Tom Curry’s return to action after long-term injury is well timed
ahead of the tour, while Deacon says Ben is in prime form.
He added: “Tom’s missed a massive chunk of the season with a serious wrist injury but that’s given him time to develop physically and he’s back firing. Ben’s been an unbelievably consistent, high performer for us as well.”
Meanwhile, Deacon believes De Klerk’s form will give England sleepless nights if, as expected the No.9 earns a Bok recall. “Faf’s been really exciting to watch and work with and he’ll cause any defence problems,” warned Deacon.
“He’s such a livewire at the ruck and gets the ball away so quickly, which is a cornerstone of how I want Sale to attack. He brings a lot of tempo and those big blokes around the ruck would have sleepless nights if South Africa pick him.”
Deacon’s growing influence at Sale has shown itself by way of an attack that had garnered 66 tries before yesterday’s final league game against Leicester – the first time Sale have averaged three tires per game since season 2001/2.
As his third season in Union reaches its end, the former GB Rugby League stand-off added: “It was a massive change but I’m thoroughly enjoying it and I feel like a Rugby Union coach now. I came in with some new ideas but the players have bought into it.
“We want to push into that top four next year and bring success to Sale.”