The festive period well and truly begins today with our final home fixture of 2024 hopefully bringing good cheer and glad tidings to all Sharks fans! 

Only a week since we were last here at home, and what a performance it was against Racing 92. Coming off a slightly chastening defeat against a strong Glasgow side the week before, it was a big test of resolve and character for the team. Racing haven’t had the best season so far in France, but are still packed full of quality and to put them away so comprehensively was a joy to watch. We’re most shocked at how comfortable it ended up being – we’re struggling to remember the last time we weren’t on the edge of our seats worried we would throw the game away at 65 minutes!  

Superb performances were put in all over the pitch in that game, with Tom Roebuck’s salmon-like leap to set up Joe Carpenter’s try the obvious highlight. Elsewhere the Du Preez twins return to form after injury continues apace, and the George Ford & Rob Du Preez axis in midfield continues to get results. It’s a fantastic way to close that first European stint, and only reinforces our exceptional home form this season which we mentioned in the build up to the game. 

With Europe put aside now until the new year, attention turns back to the Premiership and today’s visit of Exeter Chiefs. While Sale have had an up and down season as we hover around mid-table and try to climb back up into the playoff spots, it’s been a tougher start to the year for Exeter as they lie at the bottom of the table currently. This is a side that outperformed expectations considerably last year in a rebuilding season, and despite that position in the table remain a team full of quality and excellently coached. Make no mistake, this is going to be no easy ride and a stern test in a game that really is must win for Sale for our playoff hopes and season at large. 

In our favour today is an excellent home record and no doubt a bumper (and hopefully very loud) home crowd ready to cheer the team on. The atmosphere at our home games has been excellent this season and no doubt has contributed to the strong run we’ve put together here, so it’s absolutely essential that today is no different. We’ve no doubt the team will respond in kind to the passion and support from the stands and hopefully send us all into our Christmas dinners happy and looking up the table for the rest of the season. 

On that note, we hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Year, and we can’t wait for much more nail-biting action from our Sharks in 2025! 

Enjoy the game, and Merry Christmas! 

Alex and James 

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