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Young Sale Sharks ready to bite as Cup competitions give pups first-team chances

Sale Sharks youngster Cameron Neild believes the squad are looking ‘onwards and upwards’ after a less than impressive start to the season.

An embarrassing 43-10 defeat last weekend to Northampton consigned Sale to their fourth defeat from six games in the Premiership.

The squad now face a break from playing in the league as they prepare to take on Munster this weekend in the European Rugby Champions Cup, which will be a tough encounter according to the Manchester-born player.

“Obviously it is going to be a physical game, a big break-down battle,” he told MM.

“I think we will get the edge hopefully at home with all the fans down there.

“It’s meant to be a sell-out so yeah I’m looking forward to it.”

Neild, who joined the Sharks academy set-up in 2013 from Manchester Grammar School, also believes the team can improve on their tenth-place position in the Premiership when they return to play against London Irish.

“As a team I think obviously it will be onwards and upwards,” said the 20-year-old.

“We are looking forward to getting some good results, we just want to improve in the next couple of weeks and then come back in the Premiership much stronger than we were in the last six weeks even though I think we’ve been okay.”

Aside from the European Cup, Sale will also compete in the domestic LV= Cup at the start of November against Wasps.

And Neild has identified the upcoming competition as an opportunity for him and other youngsters in the squad to showcase their abilities and impress Director of Rugby, Steve Diamond.

“All the boys are looking forward to it, it’s another cup competition where we want to give a good account of ourselves and we’re hoping to progress and do well,” he said.

“Normally younger sides get played so it would be great for me to get some game time in that, get some good starts under my belt, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Neild, who has made five appearances from the bench so far this year and is a former England under-16 player of the year and under-18 international, hopes his recent performances earn him plaudits as he look to fulfill his bright potential.

“I’m obviously happy to get my chance and just hope I do well,” he said.

“I think I’ve done well so far and just keep doing the same things.”

Image courtesy of England Rugby, via YouTube, with thanks.

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