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Sanderson: 'I am sure the players will reference it in smaller groups'

Sale players exit the RDS pitch in Dublin (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images for Sale Sharks)

Alex Sanderson, the Sale director of rugby, will send his men out against Exeter Chiefs at the AJ Bell Stadium on a revenge mission but insists another failure will not end their hopes of making the Gallagher Premiership playoffs.

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Sale, last season’s beaten finalists, are currently eighth after losing to Bath 42-24 last weekend and now face an Exeter team that thrashed them 43-0 earlier this season at Sandy Park and who hold fourth place and stand eight points ahead of Sanderson’s team. “It is operation ‘get your own back’ after what happened at Sandy Park.” said Sanderson.

“I am sure the players will reference it in smaller groups but there are bigger things at stake in what we want to get out of the season and that is the overriding motivation. You can then lead into the dented pride and the opportunity to put records straight.”

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    So will defeat end Sale’s playoff hopes? “No, because Simon Orange (owner) is a master of numbers and reckons (another) 20-22 points is good enough to get us in,” said Sanderson. “We hope it doesn’t come down to that. My initial thought (after the Six Nations break) was that we have to win them all but because everyone is playing each other then four out of six wins with a bonus point picked up here and there should get you in there. That being said, we have to find form quick and there is an urgency.

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    “Exeter are proving to be a really good team with a lot character with young lads who are proving their worth. We are going in eyes wide open and have to be on a mettle and we need an 80-minute performance which we didn’t have against Bath. The lads called that out and we need a bench to finish the game off.”

    Ben Curry has recovered from the arm injury he suffered trying to tackle Manu Tuilagi in England training and his leadership will be needed against Exeter.

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    R
    RedWarrior 4 hours ago
    The reason given by Steve Borthwick for latest England setback

    So England are allowed to have a tsunami whinge fest about the ref but if an Irish fan points out that some decisions hurt Ireland also they are being petulant.

    Honestly some English supporters are all politeness until they lose then the claws and fangs come out.

    Ok here we go, not complaints just pointing out where England got away with roul play:

    1: M Smiths headbutt on James Lowe that started the fracas with Stewart. If the ref spots that in time then thats a second yellow if not a straight red for Smith. Probably worth another 14 points with England gassed so a 41-10 final scoreline?

    2: Itoje's several stamps on Hansens instep in a clear attempt to damage metatarsals. Straight red or if he is lucky, 10 in the bin.

    3. Currys block on Baird to create a gap that Smith used to break the line. Penalty and possession for Ireland deep in England 22 with score at 0:0.

    4: The correct decision for the Cunningham South dangerous tackle was a yellow. Lowe blew it by confronting him. The ref didn't give South or Lowe a yellow. The ref couldn't give Lowe a yellow anyway as the TMO would have informed him that m Smith alone started the previosu fracas and its not unreasonable for a player to react to being headbutted.


    One last thing missing from English analysis

    How is coming over to Dublin acting like you own the place, committing filthy cowardly off the ball cheap shots working out for you? I mean you clearly dont care that we think your team are a crowd of a$$holes but...... rugby wise, how is riling the Irish team to focus and get the best out of themselves against such unpleasant opposition working for you on the scoreboard?


    Food for thought old boy!!!!

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