Sharks eye title triumph

2:49pm Thursday 8th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

IT'S all falling into place at Sale Sharks.

In the same week the club secured Heineken Cup qualification and jumped into the Premiership play-off places, they announced two exciting new signings to provide a significant statement of intent.

“I believe 100 per cent that we can win the Premiership title."

Kingsley Jones

Young England star Mathew Tait and promising Leicester flanker Luke Abraham will both arrive at Edgeley Park in the summer as the club continue to build a squad comparable with any in Europe.

The immediate future also looks bright, after Sunday's sensational 23-16 win at Harlequins took Sale within 80 minutes of a Guinness Premiership play-off place and another shot at the title.

Only London Irish - visitors to Edgeley Park on Saturday - stand in their way now and head coach Kingsley Jones has silverware in his sights.

He said: "In terms of importance, (the win at Harlequins) was right up there with any of the victories we have had. It was the biggest game since the Premiership final two years ago.

"Now it's all in our hands. If we beat London Irish we'll finish third and we could even finish second, it depends how Wasps and Bath go.

"We really want to keep it in our own hands and put in a great performance against London Irish.

"It's going to be very difficult against them because they've had a taste of Heineken Cup rugby and they'll want to be in it again next year. They're a good side with everything to play for because they'll be hoping to catch (sixth-placed) Leicester.

"I believe 100 per cent that we can win the Premiership title. I've always been confident and I don't understand why there's such a negative air around the club.

"This is the most successful year this club's had since we won the Premiership. If we win the next three games we win the title."

But while there are plenty of positives, Jones also knows Sharks still have plenty they can improve upon in the constant pursuit of perfection.

"We've got the best defence in the Premiership, the best defence at home ever in the Premiership," he added.

"The attack is not as great as we'd like but we scored 50 against Newcastle, which took our points difference right up there with the other teams.

"There are things to improve on. The lineout is not good enough and we have to improve that area. We look for perfection.

"But in terms of the attitude, which is what rugby's mostly won on, you can't fault us on Sunday and the guys deserve credit for the way they approached the game."The signings of Tait and Abraham are part of a continued recruitment drive that has already seen Wales scrum half Dwayne Peel and Cardiff Blues utility back Nick McLeod sign deals with Sale.

Newcastle back Tait is regarded as one of the most promising young talents in England and has already been capped 23 times by the national team, including a stellar performance in last year's World Cup final.

At 24, Abraham also has plenty of promise. A quick and powerful back row forward, he has made 52 appearances for Leicester and will be a good replacement for the departing Magnus Lund.