Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond sees no reason why the Manchester side cannot progress to the latter stages of European competition after defeating Biarritz 33-10 on Thursday night.
The convincing win featured two penalty tries as the Sharks dominated the French strugglers up front.
Sale have won the second-tier European competition twice in the past and Diamond believes they can compete again this year in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
“We know the competition is important and we are having a real crack at it,” he said.
“There is no reason why if you get the right draw and you put the right enthusiasm into it you can’t get into the later stages.”
Diamond has seen real progress in his side so far this season and was impressed by the performance, especially the might of the forwards.
“It has been a long time in my memory since I was here and coached here many times that we have put a pack to the sword like that,” he said.
“Tonight was the first real indication of doing stuff well – certainly controlling the game and understanding the game.”
“Not just flicking it out of our backsides but controlling strategy, field position and dominating them.”
Sale, who have now won back-to-back games for the first time this season, face Worcester next weekend in their second Challenge Cup game.
A number of players who have not had much playing time so far this season impressed Diamond including Russian lock Andrei Ostrikov.
“The lads who knocked on the door a couple of weeks ago because they weren’t selected for the Aviva have put themselves up for selection tonight”, Diamond said
“It makes it difficult for us but you want to have a situation where you don’t know what your first team is.”
Image courtesy of Sale Sharks Rugby Club via YouTube, with thanks.
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