Cueto Reflects On Ten Years Ago...

Cueto came into the season, having played an influential part in the side's European Challenge Cup victory over Pau: "We had an unbelievable team, and it was during that period where you didn't experience failure as a player. I came in 2001/02 and we came second in the league, and I finished top try-scorer and everything seemed to get better and better.

"I think as a team under Philippe Saint-Andre we were massively confident of winning every game. The crowd at Edgeley Park were massive, and it was a real purple patch for us and the club."

The Sharks were drawn against Irish giants Munster in the Heineken Cup in the pool stages, and on a famous Friday night at Edgeley Park, Sale beat them 27-13: "Ten years ago, Munster were THE team to beat; and those European nights were massive. To have a team like Munster come to Edgeley Park and turn them over - it just gave us that extra bit of belief."

Cueto praised the work of the then Director of Rugby Phillipe Saint-Andre, saying he wouldn't have been the player he was without his help: "He was huge in my development. It is no coincidence that in his first season at the club, I got capped for England. He used to have a few quiet words to me about positional stuff and he did improve my game a lot."

Focussing on the final, he said: "We stayed at Pennyhill Park the night before the final, that was a big statement from the club's point of view, it's an exclusive hotel -it's where England stayed, for the club to push the boat out and give us that was something.

"On the game day, it was a wet day and it was greasy. Charlie put in a magical cross field kick to me. I had a one-on-one with Geordan Murphy -who was one of the best full-backs in the game. We both went up for the highball, it went through our hands and I put a bit of back heel on it - which I totally meant!

"I just remember landing feeling disorientated and looking around, seeing the ball over the try line and diving on it quicker than Geordan Murphy!"

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