[Bronzbronx]

Seems we have retained Will Griff

https://www.instagram.com/p/DADoY0mIEYD ... mg_index=1

[SSR]

Couple of names that I am unfamiliar with, can anyone do a quick run down of the
new boys to look out for ( and what are their special powers ) ?
Thanks.

[Flumpty]

Seems we have retained Will Griff

https://www.instagram.com/p/DADoY0mIEYD ... mg_index=1

That makes me happy. Always puts a shift in and never lets us down.

[Olyy]

Very happy to see WGJ and Andrews both in there
Interesting to see Addison listed as a centre

Would've liked an asterisk next to the academy players listed in the squad

[RinTin]

I'm more taken aback seeing RDP listed as a half back.

[Bucks1861]

Fissler confidential.

“ Positive news from Sale Sharks about England fly-half George Ford putting pen to paper and signing a new contract is expected imminently.

RugbyPass revealed a couple of weeks ago that Ford, who is set to reach a century of his caps this autumn, is now in the final year of his present agreement and has opened talks with the Premiership club.

We now believe that the deal is on the verge of completion, and Ford admitted in a recent round of media commitments that he had his eye on playing in the 2027 World Cup and will remain at the club until then.”

[Olyy]

A little surprised, but very pleased, at that

[RinTin]

Real leader for us today - very happy with this.

[Yareet]

I missed it last week but see that Conor Doch is playing 13 for Falcons again tomorrow. Isn't he normally a 12?

[Olyy]

I think he mostly plays 13 - allrugby has him down as 81% at 13 and 19% at 12

[Yareet]

I think he mostly plays 13 - allrugby has him down as 81% at 13 and 19% at 12

My mistake then

[DavenportSharky]

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/sale-s ... springboks

[45jumper]

Losing any/all of them would be a big blow, they're a huge part of how we play and seem to be influential behind the scenes as well.

[Clutch]

Think it’s more RDP. The twins are pretty quiet I gather. Not that that nullifies their loss if they leave.

[Elgar]

As effective as the twins can be on their day, how often have we managed to get them both on the field?
Right or wrong, RDP has never been fully given the reigns (even when Ford is injured he's in the coaching area) and not sure he ever will be.

[Clutch]

He starts every game regardless of form, position or the ability of the other centres. Pretty strong reign.

[Elgar]

RDP starts a lot, yes. I heard he'd started something like nearly 60 games in a row against Saints. It's amazing.
But shunted so regularly between 10, 12, 13 that he seems not in management's eyes to have made himself the undisputed no.1 in any of those positions.

That's not really being given the reigns in the way that Ford has been given where he appears to more than less run the attack whether he's in the 23 or not.

I'd argue RDP's been our best 10 for the last two or three years but management clearly will not pick him over Ford and I presume Ford getting one of the central contracts makes it easier for Sale to retain Ford for at least another couple of seasons.

[Olyy]

Central contract also means England are in charge of how much he plays moving forwards, imagine that means a lot more rest time especially around international periods especially considering the knocks he's picked up in recent years

I'd be surprised if Rob left - I wouldn't be surprised if one of the twins left, as I think we'll struggle to get them both the game time that'd keep them happy, with the depth we're building at lock and backrow - Dan leaving would be the least surprising to me, he was the last to join, has played the least, has had a number of serious injuries and also isn't on the Springbok radar at all so might think a change of scenery could spark something there
Would be gutted to see him (or any of them) leave though - for me DDP fit and on form is one of the best 8s in the world, just gotta get him there again

[poyntonshark]

RDP starts a lot, yes. I heard he'd started something like nearly 60 games in a row against Saints. It's amazing.
But shunted so regularly between 10, 12, 13 that he seems not in management's eyes to have made himself the undisputed no.1 in any of those positions.

That's not really being given the reigns in the way that Ford has been given where he appears to more than less run the attack whether he's in the 23 or not.

I'd argue RDP's been our best 10 for the last two or three years but management clearly will not pick him over Ford and I presume Ford getting one of the central contracts makes it easier for Sale to retain Ford for at least another couple of seasons.

Rob's good, Ford is class. You could easily argue that we have had more value from Rob over the past few years with the injuries that Ford has had. But not even close in terms of quality in my opinion. You could argue that before this season Rob was our No1 No 13, as he was always selected there when not filling in for Ford. Now he may be our No1 No 12.

[RinTin]

Based on how we’re playing I can’t blame players for looking for the exit doors. Our fringe England guys will struggle to break through internationally if this keeps up, our mercenaries won’t want to keep losing, and our young prospects won’t see us as a real opportunity to advance.

Some big questions need to be asked among the coaching group over this international window.

[Lord Elpus]

There's an old saying - "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear". Too many of our players lack basic skills eg handling, lack pace, and lack discipline. In the past physicality has sometimes triumphed over skill These days taking the ball into contact and getting turned over is plain daft as is box kicking and failing to regain the ball and kicking away turnover ball is criminal.

[RinTin]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/fissler- ... gland-duo/

Roebuck apparently being looked at by a number of clubs as due to his contract ending this year. We could see both him and Reed leave assuming a Scottish club comes for Aaron.

Big one for me there is Anyanwu being signed by Montpelier - money talks it seems. He played very well for Quins today so it is a shame to lose a prospect like him.

[Lord Elpus]

Quins were excellent today - scored five + tries and butchered another five +. Ok it was only the Chefs but it was a bp away victory. Baxter for the England job?

[Bucks1861]

Latest Fissler update

“ Bordeaux are holding talks with Sale Sharks about a deal for South African No 8 Dan du Preez, which would get him out of the final year of his contract at the end of the season.

Du Preez, 29, who joined Sale in 2019, has received a contract offer to go and play in France next season but is due to be under contract to the Premiership outfit, but talks to agree on a deal are underway.

Sharks boss Alex Sanderson admits it’s easy for players to have their heads turned: “You cannot ignore the life-changing sums of money that these guys are getting offered.”

[RugbyMarvel]

So far I’ve seen rumours of the following leaving:

LCD
J Hill
JL Du Preez
Dan Du Preez
Raffi
Ford
Roebuck
Reed

I also think Curry’s out of contract?

I genuinely do think we will lose the Du Preez twins to massive sums in France, couple of big contracts left in their career

Raffi I reckon is off. Sanderson sounded salty about it in the press conference and think he’s probably fuming that he is leaving after all the injuries.

Hill probably off if he can get himself into the shop window for second half of the season. France beckons.

Roebuck could well have his head turned by Sarries if they wanted him - I would like to think we would invest in him. Reed I expect could be off purely for this Scotland chances.

We will surely keep Ford, I hope.

Could be a huge sea change for the club. The Du Preez twins can’t be replaced like for like and we will have to somehow find ball carriers. Can’t think of many available 8s unless we spend a lot.

[Olyy]

Does feel like the Du Preez twins will be leaving, Axe has mentioned "life changing amounts of money" a couple of times so feels like they're being chased really hard

LCD and Ford I think will stay - both have mentioned wanting to play in the next RWC, LCD seems happy here and I don't think Ford would move somewhere else in the Prem, only abroad for big bucks (which seems unlikely as he'd got the central contract now), as he wants to be close to his restaurant(s?)

Agree on Hill, I think he'll try and go to France, just depends what offers are on the table

I think we'll retain both Currys, the central contract for Tom will help balance the books a bit

Raffi I'm 50/50 on, would hope we do retain but could understand him leaving

Think we'll keep both Roebuck and Reed - though Reed might look north if more caps don't come


Not sure who is/isn't out of contract, though that doesn't seem to matter too much these days

[Olyy]

RugbyPass has us landing Jibulu from Quins - young, very highly rated, hooker

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-race ... -been-won/

[Yareet]

RugbyPass has us landing Jibulu from Quins - young, very highly rated, hooker

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-race ... -been-won/

Repeated in the Telegraph - if a little more ambiguous about whether a deal is yet done.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... lier-sale/

Jibulu, meanwhile, has been highly sought during a recruitment window in which several clubs are looking to add a hooker, with Leicester Tigers needing to replace Julián Montoya.

Sale are thought to be admirers of the 21-year-old, a graduate of the Harlequins academy who was named in the England A squad to prepare for a one-off fixture against Australia A.

Jibulu represented England Under-20 in 2023 and has become renowned as a destructive carrier as well as a disruptive presence at the breakdown.

This already appears to be something of a breakthrough season for him at senior level, given he has featured in all six of Harlequins’ Premiership matches to date, starting against Newcastle Falcons and coming off the bench in the five others.

[RinTin]

Very promising talent. Hope he gets a run for the Saxons although I doubt it with Ohgre and Langdon there.

I'd rather see news that we have dropped Nayacalevu and picked up free agent Vakatawa until the end of the season...

[RinTin]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... e-blamire/

Blamire has signed for Leicester next season. How on earth have we missed out there? Ideal long term option for us.

[Olyy]

Disagree, and think Tigers are taking a bit of a risk there, especially as a replacement for Montoya - he's probably the worst lineout thrower in the league, reading Falcons fans opinions on it a lot don't seem very upset about it

If we're signing someone it needs to be a set piece specialist



If there's a fire sale going on at Newcastle, and Reed gets tempted by the SRU, we should try for Radwan

[Halifaxshark]

Callum Chick for a Du Preez more like it

[LJK]

Watched the 2nd half of the Quins v Ealing game tonight and Jibulu looked mega impressive.... two great carries and a jackal turnover in the space of a few minutes after he came on as sub. His quality highlighted on by Flats commentating.

[Bucks1861]

Fissler latest news from today

“ Sale have completed a deal that will see Harlequins hooker Nathan Jibulu move to the North-West when his contract runs out at the end of the season. RugbyPass reported last Sunday that the Sharks were close to pipping Exeter, who also failed to lure Seb Blake from Gloucester, in the race to sign the Wimbledon College-educated former England U20.

Now 21, Nathan Jibulu will move to the Sharks where he is likely to replace ex-Saracens, Leinster and Connacht ace Tadgh McElroy. “

[SSR]

I would have thought we were more likely to lose one of our senior hookers.

[Halifaxshark]

To the bottom of that article, it says that Quirke is going to Quins.

[SSR]

I read that as Raffi MIGHT be going to Quinns as he has not made his mind up yet.
( Contract negotiation tactic ? )

[Olyy]

There was talk of Spencer leaving Bath, Porter joining Bath and then Raffi joining Quins

Wonder if negotiations have stalled while they wait to see if the first stage of the merry go round happens - if Spencer was thinking about going to France for a payday he might be rethinking now that he's getting starts for England - though care likely retiring there's still room at Quins for Raffi tbf

[Halifaxshark]

Apologies, it does say might. I should have elaborated but it feels like there’s something in the story, not just agent talk etc. Feels like it’s gone from might leave, to probably will leave.

[RinTin]

I would have thought we were more likely to lose one of our senior hookers.

This was why I was gunning more for Blamire - 6/7 seasons in the top flight, international, starts every game and only 26. Perfect senior hooker replacement.

If LCD and TT are staying then I agree re Jibulu.

[Bucks1861]

Today’s game in Cardiff

“ 13. Waisea Nayacalevu – 8.5

After a slow start, the Sale Sharks man found his rhythm, delivering massive defensive hits that disrupted Wales’ momentum.

His threat with ball in hand increased as the game wore too, even if his defensive reads fluctuated between clairvoyant and purblind.”


However, who I thought was outstanding was the Fiji Josua Tuisova at inside centre.

[RinTin]

Caleb Muntz was the man for me. He got injured immediately before the 23 world cup, but if he was there I think they would have topped the group and may have made the semi finals. Phenomenal talent.

Naya looked good.

[SSR]

Naya looked good.

I watched the Fiji game especially to see what we were missing with Naya, playing with
people who know how to get the best out of him.
I was a bit underwhelmed. He didn't do much compared to others and was pretty much
well contained by the Welsh. No clues on how to explode his reputation for our side.

[Elgar]

I thought Naya was monumental in defence. Had so much to do with Wales losing significant territoryon several occasions whilst in multiphase possession.

Maybe didn't light up in attack but did have 2 or 3 very nice offloads which he only could have gotten away after winning the collision with ball in hand which I don't think I've seen him to do for Sale in a competitive game yet.

[Olyy]

Yeah i thought he was good too,
Not a standout in that side (barring defence) but that was more to do with how good his teammates were rather than him specifically

If some time in the Fiji side can shake some cobwebs off and he comes back to us firing on all cylinders (and we use him correctly) then he could still be a huge addition to the side

He only played 9 club games last season, with the last being in February, so hopefully just a bit rusty

[Lord Elpus]

Today’s game in Cardiff

However, who I thought was outstanding was the Fiji Josua Tuisova at inside centre.

He'll have some fun against England's non-tackling midfield.

[Oh Danny Boy]

Yeah i thought he was good too,
Not a standout in that side (barring defence) but that was more to do with how good his teammates were rather than him specifically
If some time in the Fiji side can shake some cobwebs off and he comes back to us firing on all cylinders (and we use him correctly) then he could still be a huge addition to the side
He only played 9 club games last season, with the last being in February, so hopefully just a bit rusty

100% this, yes he's new but has looked lost when playing for us.
10 odd years of the same attack coach is a terrible idea. We need a shake up for next season

[SSR]

Slightly OT but I went to look up coaches on the Offy, could not find any list.
Anyone know where the definitive list of our coaches is ?

[Olyy]

Rumours of Ford to Clermont, despite the central contract

[Yareet]

Slightly OT but I went to look up coaches on the Offy, could not find any list.
Anyone know where the definitive list of our coaches is ?

For some time I’ve been annoyed that the menu on the site says “Players and Staff” (for the Men’s, Academy and Women’s teams) but only shows the players