Sale extend winning run to revive play-off hopes

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Ben Curry believes Sale Sharks are in a “good place” again after stretching their winning streak to three Premiership matches.

Sharks had looked to be out of the top-four race after a torrid start to the year but bonus-point wins over Exeter Chiefs, Harlequins and now Newcastle Falcons have kept them in the hunt and two points off a play-off place.

Every game is a must-win, with Sharks’ fate out of their own hands, but ahead of their final matches against Leicester Tigers and Saracens, Curry believes they can pull off a dramatic turnaround.

“I feel like we’re getting better each game, so from that point of view I feel like we’re in a good place,” the Sharks captain said.

“It’s so simple for us at times, when there’s no ifs, buts and maybes – you have to come out and act as though there’s no next week in terms of the Premiership.

“I feel like we’re a team with our backs against the wall, like we’ve

got no option but to do it. Apart from that, we’re in a good place.”

Tries from Curry and Joe Carpenter put the visitors in control before Guy Pepper and Tim Cardall dragged Newcastle level.

There was to be no first league win of the season for Falcons, however, as Luke Cowan-dickie, Tom Roebuck and Rob du Preez all crossed to put Sharks out of sight.

Despite Newcastle’s defeat, for Steve Diamond, this was a step in the right direction after a chastening 85-14 reverse at Bristol Bears.

“I was interested in how we would respond to last week – you can put skill into people, upskill them and put knowledge into them, but you can’t teach character,” the Falcons consultant director of rugby said. “The character shown after last week is commendable.”