Mark Easter says the good atmosphere being generated by winning – thanks to the front five forwards – is helping Sale Sharks’ belief ahead of their away clash against Harlequins on Saturday.
The strength in depth that the Sharks have up front, with young English props Henry Thomas and Ross Harrison impressing in recent weeks, has been the base that Sale have built from to lie fifth in the table.
Back row forward Easter has been enjoying his recent run of games for Sale after enduring a frustrating campaign last year with injury.
“It has been good fun as there is a good atmosphere around the club. Winning helps so we are happy with how we are going and hope we can continue it,” Easter told MM.
“It comes back to the front five, we are winning ball at the set piece and we can get into our structures so that helps with a solid base at the back of the scrum so we can do more with it, we have a lot more options,” he added.
The Sharks’ form is in direct contrast to that of seventh-placed Harlequins, who have lost three in a row including two tough games in Europe.
“We are going down confident but we know what we are up against. They are a quality side for the last 3 or 4 years they have been one of the dominant sides in the Premiership so it will be a tough challenge,” he said.
“They are going to be disappointed with their start to the season and having watched them last week they have a lot spirit and have a lot of quality players so it is just a matter of time before it clicks for them.”
Easter may come up against his brother, Nick who plays for Harlequins and is looking forward to the potential clash.
“It has been a few years now that I have come up against him so it is like playing against a mate really. It would be nice to get one over on him as I think he has the upper hand on the teams I have been on in the last few years,” he said.
“It is a family occasion: it is more for the parents. I think they hope that one of us has a good game but they’re not too worried about it to be honest. You just want to focus on the task in hand and not put your foot in it.”
Image courtesy of Premiership Rugby via YouTube, with thanks.
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