Sale Sharks have the finishing line in their sights as they look to fight off close competition in order to claim an Aviva Premiership playoff spot.
With just four matches of the regular season left to play Sharks are on the cusp of the top four, lying in fifth position just four points behind Bath, who they beat at the Recreation Ground last month.
Sharks hooker Marc Jones claims his side are oozing with confidence ahead of Friday’s clash against sixth-placed Harlequins at the AJ Bell stadium.
“Yeah it is a must win game against Quins if we have any ambition to get into the top four, both teams are going for that spot, so it will be a great test,” said Jones.
“As a squad I think we definitely have what it takes to get in the top four. This season we have been working well together on and off the field and that is something that we pride ourselves on being a close tight-knit squad.
“At the start of the season we probably didn’t see ourselves getting into the top four. But after the run we had last season and the start we had to this season we set ourselves some goals and top six was always an ambition and to be sat here now thinking about finishing in the top four is a great achievement.”
The home side will hope they can regain momentum after losing to Northampton Saints in the Amlin Challenge cup last time out.
However the break in the league schedule provided the opportunity for some of Sales seasoned veterans to enjoy a well-earned rest and they will now be revitalised for the clash against Quins.
“Yeah it is disappointing after the run of game we have had in the past few weeks, but we are back in the premiership now so we need to forget about it and grind out a result,” added Jones.
“We went into that game preparing to win, we needed to refresh the squad a little bit but at no point where we were thinking that we would lose the game.
“I don’t think the loss will have stopped momentum, we are still full of confidence and we have talked about a few things from the Saints game that we need to brush up on but we have a lot of drive and will brush off the cobwebs and look forward to the game on Friday.”
Jones claimed that Sale will have to rely on their stout defence to hold off an explosive Quins attack, consisting of internationals stars Danny Care, Mike Brown and Chris Robshaw, but the Welshman believes that with the crowd behind them anything is possible.
“Our defence has come on leaps and bounds, Mike Forshaw has come in and done a great job. We could also see the improvements at the end of last season and we are just continuing to get better,” said Jones.
“Against Quins we need to play our own game and not get sucked in to their brand of Rugby. They like to throw the ball around a play a quick tempo type of Rugby and we need to focus on what we do well and get Sammy (Tuitupou) into the game and get big forwards running good lines.
“Yeah it is vital playing in front of home support. Our home record has been good this season and we have beaten some big team their season. It is a rally big advantage playing with the home supporters on our back.”
Image courtesy of Sale Sharks via YouTube, with thanks.
