Sport

‘Let’s end this frustration’: Sale Sharks captain Dan Braid urges side to take their chances in Harlequins cup clash

By Alan Ross

Dan Braid has called upon his Sale Sharks team mates to take their chances to score when they face Harlequins in the LV Cup on Friday night.

After a galling last-gasp loss against Bath at home last week Sale will be looking to get back to winning ways having now lost three in a row.

Captain Braid says Sale have analysed the defeat and know what they have to do to win.

“It is a frustrating time, three losses in a row, not through lack of application but through failure to execute and finish the opportunities that we are creating,” he told the club website.

“So it is about staying positive. We looked at the video and so the opportunities we created so it is up to the guys, individually, to recognise the chances and to take them.

“We haven’t controlled the game well enough in the first half to really put sides under pressure. We know we can play because we put phases together towards the back end of game but it does come down to taking our opportunities especially in the first half.”

The competition gives sides the chance to rotate their squads and giant Irish prop Tony Buckley is keen to get more game time after making his first appearance of the season against Bath last week following a five-month injury lay-off.

“Hopefully I will get another chance against Quins to get another run out because I wasn’t too happy with last week,” he said.

“I need to work harder at my work rate around the field. Tackles, carries and stuff like that.”

With a couple of Buckley’s competitors for a starting berth training with their national sides, Henry Thomas is away training with England ahead of their match against New Zealand  while Vadim Cobilas is with Moldova,  he knows he has work to do to get back into the first team.

“I am definitely playing catch-up. They have had a great start to the season. The scrum has come on an awful lot in the past few weeks and months. It is going to be really tough to get past either of them.

“I think going forward we really need a win but Quins is one of the hardest places to go and win so we will give it our all and see how we come out the end of it.”

Image courtesy of Sale Sharks via YouTube, with thanks.

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