SALE Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond insists their final five matches will shape their season as they push for a top six finish.

The AJ Bell Stadium side entertain Gloucester at home on Sunday afternoon keen for revenge after their 34-27 defeat to the Kingsholm side back in September.

Even though Sale occupy seventh spot in the Aviva Premiership while Gloucester lie in ninth – six points behind – ex-Trafford Metroviks player Diamond insists they are taking nothing for granted.

He said: "In the last game we were winning at half-time then got hammered in the second half.

"But they were a different kettle of fish nowadays and are also changed team from what we were are the beginning of the season.

"It bodes well for a great game.

"These are all pivotal games as the league is so close that you have got to win your home matches and if you do that then hopefully you can make it to the top six."

Danny Cipriani is among those who return from international duty after being a substitute for England in the nail-biting final Six Nations encounter with France where they finished runner-up in the title race.

The talented fly-half stole the show at Kingsholm last season with a personal tally of 12 points and Diamond will be wanting more of the same from the 27-year-old.

He said: "Danny is a top player and did well in the last game.

"We are expecting Gloucester to bring their normal powerful game with tall wingers, a great pack of forwards and an intelligent scrum-half in Greg Laidlaw and fly-half James Hook so it is a tough game.

"They have had so many management changes over the past few years and need some consistency and they seem to be having that with David Humphreys in charge."

The Cherry and Whites produced one of their best performances of the season before the international break when they drew 33-33 with league-leaders Northampton Saints.

Their forwards boast plenty of experience with Wales international Richard Hibbert and New Zealand World Cup winner John Afoa in the front row while behind the scrum Scotland international Greig Laidlaw is the team's top points scorer with 128 in the league this season.

Diamond still has his sights set on challenging for a top-six finish.

He said: "It is really important to get into the Heineken Cup for the club, the coaches, the players and potential players who want to join us as they want to be in the top competitions."