This time last year, you would have got long odds that Sale Sharks would have secured top flight European rugby let alone briefly flirt with the play-offs during the 2013-14 season.
After scrapping their way through 2012-13, many had Sale down to struggle again with some rating them as favourites for relegation.
But after starting with a surprise win on the first day of the season against a much fancied Gloucester, the Sharks put together a fantastic season.
Credit must go to the coaches and in particular director of rugby, Steve Diamond, as they have shaped a side that has fought its way up the table and arguably, over performed.
Danny Cipriani stole many of the headlines this year as he added a bit of flair and invention to Sale’s play, which was led from the front throughout by captain Dan Braid.
It is easy to underestimate the impact the New Zealander has had on the club since he joined at Sale’s most recent nadir in 2013 and his leadership was no doubt crucial to steering the club away from danger.
Sharks’ much improved defence was overseen by a candidate for signing of the season, defence coach Mike Forshaw.
The forward pack gave Sale the platform they needed to compete with impressive seasons put in by nearly all the front row players, but perhaps most especially from Vadim Cobilas and Tommy Taylor, whose England call-up is much deserved.
A canny piece of recruitment from Diamond was bringing in Michael Paterson from Cardiff, who has been nothing short of spectacular in each and every game.
Dominant in the lineout and effective in the loose, Paterson showed the consistent class that seems to be a hallmark of many Kiwi players.
A quality that is too often missing from those produced domestically.
Sale were perhaps fortunate not to pick up many injuries with their limited squad size as the loss of Braid towards the end of the season definitely showed as the campaign petered out.
The club made a good go of their time in Europe, reaching the quarter-final of the Amlin Challenge Cup, but the focus was always on the league.
Next year, Champions Cup rugby will test the squad further and may well have an impact on the rest of the season as the more demanding matches result in injuries and fatigue.
The club have recruited well but were obviously disappointed to see the likes of James Gaskell and Henry Thomas leave the set-up that helped develop them from a young age.
Nathan Hines will bring bags of experience and some much needed nous to the team, not to mention a superb set of hands, and Chris Cusiter will help Cipriani control the play from scrum-half.
Elsewhere, Luke McLean will be a solid replacement at the back as Tom Arscott has looked shaky in the few games he had to prove himself once Rob Miller announced he was off to Wasps.
While there are still issues off the field, especially around access to the stadium, the club hope moving games to Saturday afternoon may relieve the traffic pressure and better results will increase attendances.
Diamond stated after the London Irish match that he was happy with where his team ended up and would look at the coming season once they come together again in the summer.
It will be hard for Sale to hit the same heights next year as other teams below them rebuild and teams above them continue to strengthen.
It will require several steps forward to remain in the same place.
Image courtesy of Charlie, with thanks
