5 Things We Learned - Worcester

Tomorrow's heroes today

That's the tag-line organisers have dreamt up for this season's Anglo-Welsh Cup and there couldn't have been a more appropriate description for the bold, ambitious line-up that Sale fielded on Friday.
The Sharks have never been afraid to give youth its chance and that brave commitment to the future was demonstrated once again at Sixways where 17 of Sale's matchday squad of 23 were Academy graduates.
On top of that, in the exciting shape of 17-year-old Cameron Redpath, Sale fielded the club's youngest-ever debutant - only for replacement Connor Doherty to then usurp Cam by becoming the Sharks' youngest player to date.
Given such a depth of youthful talent, it's small wonder there is a sense of genuine excitement about the club's long-term future prospects.


Senior service

Amongst the plethora of young guns on display at Worcester, there was also a smattering of experience there to help oversee the next generation and, to a man, their contributions proved crucial.
Half-back pairing Will Cliff and AJ MacGinty dovetailed seamlessly and helped ensure a very inexperienced back-line quickly settled into the game.
Meanwhile, rookie debutant Cameron Redpath couldn't have had a better partner at centre than skipper Will Addison who kept a watchful eye on the exciting 17-year-old in what was a thrilling first 40 minutes from Sale.
In the pack, all-action Samoan flanker TJ Ioane brought his trademark aggression and work-rate to the forward battle and ensured the Sharks got on the front-foot by grabbing the game's opening try.
And when Worcester sought to stage a fightback after the break, Sharks' replacements Halani Aulika and David Seymour's game management and know-how helped ensure Sale's magnificent defence kept the hosts at bay.

Hot Curry

It's easy to forget that Ben Curry is still just 19-years-old. But such has been the seismic impact made by the young flanker over the past 12 months he was selected as vice-captain for the trip to Sixways.
And when skipper Will Addison was withdrawn at half-time as an injury precaution, Ben assumed the captaincy.
The responsibility obviously suited him down to the ground for he produced a quite outstanding individual display.
Not content with both scoring a superb first-half try and helping create another score for Will Cliff, Ben was a constant thorn in the Warriors' side and offered further evidence of why, along with twin brother Tom, he is considered one of the most exciting young talents to have emerged in English rugby over the past few seasons.

Taste for travel

Having come agonisingly close to securing a first away-awin of the season at Lyon last month, the Sharks deservedly got their reward at Worcester.
Director of rugby Steve Diamond and his squad have been adamant that Sale have the wherewithal to be successful away from the AJ Bell Stadium and Friday's performance provided proof positive why that belief is well founded.
The Sharks were terrific value for the victory and, with the majority of the season still stretching out in front of them, the hope is that there could be plenty more successful away-days before the campaign is out.

Anglo muddle

The players may be getting younger but one thing that hasn't changed this term is the byzantine make-up of the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Despite Sale being drawn to play Worcester, Saracens, Northampton Saints and Scarlets in this season's matches, they actually find themselves in Pool 2 alongside Exeter, Harlequins and the Dragons.
Make of that what you will!

Tickets to our next Anglo-Welsh encounter v Saracens are availible http://www.salesharks.com/saracenshere.