A prominent Premiership rugby director is anticipating a strong response from English clubs this weekend following a series of underwhelming performances in the first round of the Champions Cup. Sale’s Alex Sanderson is gearing up to bring back his key international players for the upcoming match against Racing 92 on Friday, and he believes this game could mark the beginning of a collective English resurgence. Last weekend, six out of the eight Premiership teams suffered defeats in the opening round, but despite Sale’s loss in Glasgow, Sanderson remains confident in the quality of English rugby to make a significant impact this season.
“There are good enough players and good enough teams, definitely,” Sanderson stated, hinting at the return of his England stars George Ford, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Curry, and Tom Roebuck. “I think you’ll see a shift in results this weekend, and we aim to be a part of that change. However, first, there needs to be an understanding of the consistent intensity required in this competition. I don’t believe many English teams were far off, but in such high-level competition, being slightly off can lead to a significant margin in the scoreline.”
To help his players recover ahead of the Racing 92 game, Sanderson took them to the UK’s largest sauna in Manchester, aiming to refresh both their bodies and minds. “I’m convinced that having fun helps them recover quicker on a six-day turnaround. They can have casual conversations over brunch in the sauna, which is like a truth chamber, instead of listening to me lecture in front of a screen.”
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year, in my opinion. You’re involved in two crucial competitions, and the next nine weeks will define our season. I’ve told the lads that. I’m enjoying the challenge … flying in and out, short turnarounds, playing against top teams. You just have to adapt and stay ahead of any emotional lows that can occur at this time of the year.”
Despite the absence of the injured Owen Farrell, Sale understands they must significantly improve their performance against Racing. “There are no illusions about what is needed,” Sanderson said. “We had a strong performance against Leicester, but even those standards weren’t enough against Glasgow away last week. If we want to win or advance in this cup, certain aspects of our game need to improve. However, being part of a team that can beat opponents with greater support and resources, or defy predictions, is an incredible feeling.”
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