James targets return to glory days
JAMES hopes the Premiership Rugby Cup can serve as a catalyst for a dynasty of success for Sale Sharks if they can get past Harlequins in Monday evening’s rescheduled final.
Premiership leaders Exeter and the likes of Harlequins and Northampton have previously used the competition, in its many different guises, to kick on and compete for the big prizes.
And James, 26, says the north’s premier club are desperate to end their 14year wait for silverware.
“I was 26th man the last time we got to final in 2013,” said the homegrown centre, who starts at 13 for the final. “I was young back then! It was at Worcester, funnily enough against Quins, and we lost 32-14.
“This is massive for the club. The whole ethos around here is building towards something and there is no better reward for that than by winning some silverware.
“Us local boys have grown up watching Sale, and were lucky enough to see the club win the Premiership (in 2006) and we want to emulate that and bring back those good times.
“If you get a nice run in this competition, it helps build momentum for the league, and that’s what we are looking to do and right some wrongs from last weekend and get the ball rolling again.
“Hopefully, we can go on to bigger and better things.”
With his classy footSAM balling skills, James provides a nice counterbalance to the directness of his midfield partner tomorrow, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, as well as the Sharks’ two new midfield signings, Manu Tuilagi and Sam Hill. Tuilagi is on the bench.
“It is kind of unbelievable the talent we have in the centre and that breeds good quality habits in all of us, in training and in games,” he said.
“Taking bits from the games of Rohan, Sam, Manu and Connor Doherty, who is coming up, will be massive for my career.”
Sale’s misfiring lineout hasn’t been helped by bad news on the injury front. Rob Webber had surgery yesterday after his comeback from retirement lasted a matter of minutes, while Lood de Jager has returned home to South Africa to have a third shoulder operation in 18 months and faces a further four to six months on the sidelines.
Josh Beaumont, who was pencilled in to return against Bath, has a niggling knee injury and won’t be risked until the 2020/21 Premiership season starts in November.
Cobus Wiese and JeanLuc du Preez join forces in an all-South African second row partnership with Curtis Langdon given the throwing duties ahead of the inconsistent Akker van der Merwe.
Quins can hurl everything at this match with their Premiership play-off hopes dashed, and captain Chris Robshaw, Scott Baldwin, Simon Kerrod, Dino Lamb and Nathan Earle all return to the XV.
Quins head of rugby Paul Gustard said: “This final represents an important part of our journey as a developing side.
“The squad have earned the right to be in this final and while we continue to grow and improve holistically, it’s important that we also achieve and reach the milestones in our path. Monday’s final is one of those milestones.
“It offers a brilliant opportunity for our large contingent of young, English-qualified Quins to start making memories and creating success.
“This is also one final opportunity for a Harlequins great in Chris Robshaw to lift silverware with the club he has served so magnificently for 15 seasons.”