Sale Sharks will be out to prove wrong those who gave them no chance in this season’s European Champions Cup.
Sharks are in a group that includes both finalists from last year – Leinster and La Rochelle – but they host Stade Francais Paris in their opening fixture.
And Sale’s director of rugby Alex Sanderson is relishing the underdog label that has been placed upon his side.
He said: “It is a brilliant opportunity to see how you stack up against the best.
“We don’t want to be the whipping boys of this group.”
However, Sanderson admitted that Sharks have particularly struggled against French opposition in the past due to their flair and unpredictability.
But Stade Francais present a different challenge for the current Gallagher Premiership leaders.
Sanderson said: “Stade are a big physical team, best defence, best set piece, and kick the most.
“They are an unbelievable challenge.”
Sharks have been offered hope by the return from injury of their marquee player, Manu Tuilagi.
But he is one of the many players including George Ford, Luke Cowan-Dickie, and Augustin Creevy in the final year of their contract.
Sanderson said: “We have a recruitment meeting next Tuesday to discuss which players to retain.
“Manu said last year was supposed to be his last year.
“So we will sit down and chat about his future over a glass of wine.”
However, Sanderson confessed that it is tough to keep these star players with England’s restrictions on salary caps.
He said: “Do I think that the cap needs to go up if we want to compete at the highest level? Yes.”
But with four English clubs going out of business in the past year he only wants to see this happen if it can bring out a sustainable model for the sport.
Kick-off at the AJ Bell Stadium is at 1pm on Sunday between Sharks and Stade Francais.
Feature Image: Brendan McGilligan
