Nathan Hines believes Sale Sharks can turn their season from satisfactory into satisfying if they are able to secure qualification for the European Champions Cup.
As things stand it couldn’t be more finely poised for the Sharks as they currently lie in seventh place just one point behind Wasps, who occupy the all-important final European spot.
It is firmly in their own hands though with a visit to the Madejski stadium to face London Irish next up, followed by home fixtures against Harlequins and Newcastle Falcons and an away trip to Exeter Chiefs to finish.
And 39-year-old Hines believes if they can learn from their mistakes earlier in the season where a few wins have been let slip, then they can finish the season on a high.
“I think the season has been satisfactory so far. There are definitely a couple of games we should have closed out like Bath in the first round and Leicester, who won in the final minute or so,” he said.
“We’ve had some good wins but definitely let some slip so we need to concentrate on making sure we don’t do that in the final few games.
“I think we aim for a little bit around the top six, that is really the goal to get into Europe and I don’t think anyone wants to finish in that seventh spot.
“We can’t worry about what everyone else is doing and if we do our jobs right we will finish in that top six and we will be really happy with that.”
Hines was speaking about his support of Brainwave at the Aviva Community Fund launch, a nationwide initiative from Aviva, title sponsor of Aviva Premiership Rugby, which offers support and funding to causes close to your heart. Visit aviva.co.uk/community-fund
