Sharks believe time is right
12:40pm Thursday 24th April 2008
SALE Sharks are beginning to believe this could be their year.
As they prepare to take on Bath in Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final, the Edgeley Park are still embroiled in a battle on two fronts, with Premiership glory also well within their grasp.
The next two games will either make or break their season.
Defeat to Bath this week and Harlequins in the Premiership the following Sunday would bring a premature end to their campaign, while victory would keep their double hopes alive.
And Sale head coach Kingsley Jones said belief among the players is at its highest since the championship-winning year of 2006.
He told SAM Sport: "We are getting better and stronger and there's a lot of belief among the players.
"Only 24 months ago we were in a similar position and we went on to win the Premiership. We need to keep raising the bar and keep our standards up.
"The feeling among the squad now is the best that I've seen since the championship-winning team.
"The respect everyone has for each other is outstanding. Everyone is tight and there's a real belief that we can go on and win something this season."
Confidence may be high, but the task facing Sharks couldn't be tougher.
Their semi-final away to Bath is the hardest possible tie they could have been handed, with the West Country side currently second in the Premiership and on a run of four straight wins at the Rec.
But Sale have got the better of the encounters between the sides this season, beating them 22-6 in their crucial league game at Edgeley Park in the most recent meeting between the two sides.
Sharks also defeated Bath 25-10 in the EDF Cup group stages, while the Premiership meeting at the Rec was only decided by a late penalty from Shaun Berne, the hosts winning 21-19.
Jones knows none of that will have any bearing when the teams meet on Saturday though.
He said: "We have got real respect for Bath, we know the threat they pose.
"They have got quality all over the pitch. They're good in the scrum and the lineout, they're a physical side and in Butch James and Olly Barkley they have two of the best rugby players in the league.
"But we have won the Challenge Cup twice before, we know what it takes.
"It's a big ask but we can go there and get the result as long as we perform to the best of our ability."