Following an inconsistent 2023-24 season, Sale Sharks enter the 2024-25 Premiership season with high expectations.
A cohesive squad, a good age profile, experienced internationals in key positions and one of English rugby's most inspiring and impressive coaches, Alex Sanderson all paint the picture of a club ready for silverware.
Whilst senior players like Manu Tuilagi, Augustin Creevy, and Sam James have left the Salford side this summer, there has been little turnover, enabling the Sharks to continue growing and evolving their game as they look to win Premiership glory this season.
Key Players
On-field coach and Fly Half George Ford will be the linchpin for Sale’s ambitions this season. Ford’s ability to control the game with his tactical kicking, decision-making, and vision is unmatched. As the team’s quarterback, his experience and leadership on the field will be critical as Sale looks to address their scoring woes from last season. Notably, Alex Sanderson credited the Fly Half for turning their attacking fortunes around at the end of last season which resulted in the Sharks winning their last 5 matches and propelling them into the playoffs.
Captaining Ford and the rest of the Sale team again this season will be 26-year-old Openside Flanker Ben Curry. Alongside his twin brother Tom, the Curry brothers have grown into a world-class pairing, disrupting opposition breakdowns, making thunderous tackles and carrying over the gain line for both club and country. If they can stay fit - which has been a perennial issue for the brothers - they will likely be a nuisance to any team they face in the 2024-25 season.
Alongside them in the powerful Sale pack are South African brothers Jean-Luc and Dan Du Preez. Always first-up to take on ball-carrying duties, the Du Preez brothers have taken the English game by storm since arriving in Salford in 2018-19. If Sanderson's men are to fulfil their potential this season, expect the South African duo to be at the heart of a powerful Sale forward pack.
Impact Signings
With uncompromising South African lock, Cobus Wiese, leaving Sale in the off-season, having started 16 out of the 18 Premiership games last season, Alex Sanderson has signed fellow Springbok Le Roux Roets in his place. The towering lock brings with him immense physicality and a strong presence in the lineout. His ability to disrupt opposition ball and contribute in the tight exchanges will add an extra layer of grit to Sale’s already strong forward pack. If Sharks fans were worried about the loss of Wiese, their fears will likely be eased by the sight of Roets at the Salford Community Stadium.
Potential Weakness
Despite their strengths, Sale’s biggest challenge remains their attacking game. Last season, the Sharks managed to score only 55 tries—a statistic that will concern Sanderson and Attack Coach Paul Deacon. While their defence, kick chase and set-piece are superb, Sale admit themselves that they will need to evolve their attacking gameplan if they are to compete at the business end of the season. Finding that clinical edge in the opposition 22 will be crucial if they are to turn close games into victories.
One to Watch
It takes a great scrummager to not only hold up, but dominate the likes of Joe Marler, Tadgh Furlong and Mako Vunipola, but 20-year-old prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour did just that last season. Able to play both sides of the front row, the dynamic prop has shown glimpses of his immense potential, both with Sale and dominating at the Junior World Cup this summer. However, the young prop is still undoubtedly not as high-up the pecking order for Sale as he would wish to be - and fans should not rush into thinking that 'AOF' is the solution to England's front-row troubles just yet. With England prop Bevan Rodd and veteran looseheads Simon McIntyre and Ross Harrison, the loosehead shirt at Sale seems impenetrable for Opoku-Fordjour. And currently sitting behind up-and-coming James Harper and scrummaging rock Nick Schoenert at tighthead, AOF needs to bide his time and when the opportunity comes, grab it with both hands.
The RIL Take
Sale Sharks enter the 2024-25 season with renewed purpose and high aspirations. The blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent creates a balanced squad capable of challenging for the title. Alex Sanderson’s task will be to harness this potential and address the team’s attacking deficiencies, particularly in finding ways to convert pressure into points.
The departure of seasoned veterans presents a challenge, but it also offers an opportunity for the younger players to step into leadership roles. If Sale can improve their attacking prowess and build on their solid defensive foundations, they have the potential to be a formidable force in the Premiership this season. With Ben Curry leading the charge as captain and George Ford orchestrating the attack, the Sharks are well-positioned to turn last season’s inconsistencies into a campaign of success. No doubt, with decorated multiple Premiership and European title-winner Sanderson at the helm, Sale will get there soon enough.
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