The celebrated Leicester, Wasps, Saracens and, going back a bit, Bath teams receive endless lavish praise and eulogies to their greatness but I’m not sure that Sale’s class of 2006 ever get the kudos they deserve, particularly their pack which I would contend was, for a short time, the equal of any Premiership pack we have seen.
They didn’t enjoy the dynastic longevity of the others, I guess that’s the reason, but again that depends from which angle you view their trajectory. It’s true Sale didn’t kick on to even greater glories but people tend to forget what preceded their Championship winning season – 2006 was a final summit push and bid for ultimate glory not a base camp.
In the early noughties, lest we forget, Sale won two European Challenge Cup trophies in brilliant style, beating Pontypridd in 2002 and Pau in 2005, both finals being at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford.
They could also reflect on second, third and fourth placed finishes in the Premiership, the former before the play-offs were introduced so in effect a runners-up spot. Sale could be a little erratic but great entertainers – how could it be otherwise with the likes of Jason Robinson, Mark Cueto and Steven Hanley out wide – and a half-back pairing of Richard Wigglesworth and Charlie Hodgson putting them in prime attacking areas.
This story is from the May 21, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 21, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
