Sale Sharks will face Saracens for the first time since last season’s Premiership final tomorrow night, and the Salford side have a point to prove.
Top of the Premiership Sale are looking to maintain their perfect record at home this season against the defending champions.
And Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson is fully aware of the challenge that his side faces.
He said: “If you make a mistake, however small it may be, they will punish you for it.
“There’s getting the monkey off your back with this game.”
However, having faced the favourites for the Champions Cup, Leinster, and Stade Francais over the past two weeks, there is a fresh optimism around the AJ Bell Stadium.
Sanderson believes that the European fixtures have prepared his side emphatically for their battle with the fourth-placed Saracens.
He said: “I feel like we are in a good spot; only time will tell because it has got to transfer onto the game this weekend. We’ve had two great performances and one great win.
“The lads maintained energy and momentum going back into the Prem, which is key.
“We had 19-year-olds going up against British and Irish Lions in that second half who didn’t give an inch, giving us real confidence.”
And Sale have been encouraged by the return of a number of players to selection, including Luke Cowan-Dickie, Gus Creevy, and Manu Tuilagi.
However, the future of Tuilagi remains unknown as his contract edges closer to expiration and interest grows in the England international.
Sanderson said: “I still haven’t sat down with Manu, but it will probably be the start of the new year when I sit down with him.
“I know there are French clubs coming in for him, which is exciting for him.”
But despite the return of key players, Raffi Quirke has suffered another injury.
Despite Sanderson’s heart going out to his scrum-half, he sees it as an opportunity for Nye Thomas.
He said: “He’s got four to six weeks on the bench or starting to gain experience, and I’m quite excited for him to gain this opportunity despite it coming from someone else’s misfortune.”
But this opportunity will be supported by the calming influence of George Ford.
The flyhalf has been touted as a potential replacement as captain for England following the decision by Owen Farrell to relinquish the responsibility.
And Sanderson thinks Ford would be the perfect player to next assume the role.
He said: “He is one of the best leaders I have had the privilege of working with.
“I think he is ready for any leadership role; he is a massive leader and exceptionally emotionally intelligent.”
Ford will need to be at his best come 7:45pm on Friday night at the AJ Bell Stadium to inspire Sale against Saracens, with a victory meaning Sharks would be top at Christmas.
