Shark Tank Programme Notes – PRC v Caldy

It’s a welcome return to a ground where we have a 100% win record this season so far (the less said about the away record the better). With a hugely exciting and youthful team looking to go again after a stunning comeback against Doncaster last week, tonight’s game should be a cracker.

The Premiership Rugby Cup is always a good chance for those in the wider squad to get some valuable gametime but also make a claim for a place in the return of the Premiership and Europe in a few weeks time. The team we put out last week did just that with their stirring comeback against a well-drilled (and well-coached by former Sale boy Joe Ford!) Doncaster team. It might have been panic stations for those fans who saw us conceding a lot of points again mid-game, but the heart and desire shown by a young team to pick up the win away from home and get our campaign in the cup off to a good start.

With a similar team ready to roll out again against Caldy tonight there are a few notable names to keep an eye on for Sale fans – Tom Curtis is a player we know well and who will be leading the team while also pushing for a place in matchday squads for the remainder of the season. If you haven’t seen his crossfield kick against Doncaster go and check it out! Recipient of that cross kick Obi Ene is one to watch on the wing too, having started the season in storming fashion for Sale FC and bringing that form to the Sharks team last week. We know our pack well as we have been reliant on a lot of them to hold the team up in the Premiership, but there are some very exciting prospects in there too who will want to put some pressure on those senior players in the form of Tom Burrow, Tristan Woodman and Harry Thompson (to name just a few of many).

We welcome Caldy to the Salford Stadium tonight looking to pick up some form after a tough start to the championship season. They’ve been punching well above their weight for a few seasons in that league since coming up from Nat 1, and no doubt will turn it around soon. After a loss against a relatively strong Newcastle team last week, this game is one they’ll be targeting as a chance to turn the season around. We can expect fierce competition given this is the closest to the Manchester-Liverpool derby that rugby gets, so we’re hoping that will be great viewing no matter the score for us tonight.

Finally a word on some excellent performances in an England shirt from Tom and Ben Curry last week – fantastic to see them in the same England squad together and despite Ben continuing to be criminally underselected by England, hopefully a sight we’ll see again!

Enjoy the game,

Alex and James

<< Return to Matchday Programme