[FarnhamShark]

A top-quality scrum half feels like the hardest.

[Olyy]

Yeah, tough to think of any EQP 9s that would be looking to move - especially with Robson already picked up by Gloucester
Jack Maunder is in ProD2, can't think of any others

Going to have to go fishing in foreign waters, I imagine

Don't think we necessarily need to be looking for a long term option (as in someone who'll be here a decade) as Hanson and Nye do look promising, just an experienced guy for 2-3yrs while they mature

Still think Embrose Papier would be worth a look as a Raffi replacement

[SSR]

OK with a humbling in the Challenge cup that looked like it should have been close at
worst, what has gone wrong?
Are the opponents bigger, faster, stronger, more skillful?
We have as many players being picked for Internationals as the other teams in the league.
Is the team defence at fault?
Are the forwards not as well drilled as the opponents?
Are the backs not as talented as the other backlines in the league ?
Is it just injuries why we are not as competitive as in bygone days?
Do we need better players or do we need better coaches ?
We are getting too many pannings, something needs to change, but what ?

[RinTin]

Lavanini anyone?

2 desperate parties coming together - match made in heaven no?

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/tomas-la ... em-return/

[Olyy]

That'll help the discipline issues

[AndaleManito]

hmmmm... not sure that's the type of player we need. Though looking at the stats it does appear he's sorted out his discipline issues in recent seasons.

I was really hoping by now for some proper world class signings to make up for the world class talent we've lost (JLDP, Tuilagi, Hill, Weise). Kpoku would have been great, and its pretty gutting to know we've missed out on him.

While Losowski and the front rowers we've added are good, I'm not sure I'd call any of them world class. Perhaps I'm being too negative though. Marchant is very good though, excited to see what he will do for us.

..................

some ramblings:

Potentially more important than players, as others have noted, is coaching/backroom staff. We honestly have looked like the dumbest team in the league (arguably not even just the prem) for a good few seasons. To my eyes and ears, we tend to stick quite rigidly to pre-planned tactics, and appear unwilling (or perhaps unable) to adapt to what's in front of us. I'm not sure really where that fault lies, on the pitch or off it.

Bar George Ford, and RDP when he's at 10, I'm not sure we have any players with real nous/leadership in decision making. Probably, we do, but they're seemingly not able to use this to good effect. This isn't unique to the Sanderson era to be fair. This was also somewhat lacking when Jono Ross, for as his talents (one of my favourite players of all time and certainly a Sale legend), captained the side. This was somewhat made up for by (mostly) good decision makers in Faf, AJ, and Sam James, and the rest of the squad being much stronger.

One thing that's occurred to me is the our kicking prowess in the backfield. Reed, Roebuck, Carpenter are very, very good attacking players ball in hand, and they defend very well. Carpenter and Roebuck in particular are stellar under the high ball. But I don't think any of them are great kicking players, at least not strategically. Not a slight on them, just a different type of player. I wonder how much our game could change for the better if we had a 10/15 hybrid player at 15 a la Sam James. I always though we might have tried RDP at 15 in seasons gone by, but alas that ship has sailed.

....................

Something's gotta change really, either we sign some properly decent players and make sure we have good depth, change the style of play, or making some changes in the coaching/backroom staff, otherwise I feel we'll continue to regress next season. One could argue our squad for next season has enough quality (we do have world class players, and 5 of the england 23 at the weekend), but not enough depth - but either way if we can't use the players effectively then they'll count for nothing.

[Clutch]

prop, hooker and centre are sorted. We have a lovely balance in that area. Trouble is everywhere else needs work.

We don't have an 8, so could do with one!
We don't have a prem starting quality 9 Imo
We need another starting second row
We need more pace and more depth in the back 3.

[RinTin]

Our latest recruit in the front row starts for Wales at tighthead. Interested to see how he goes as, if I'm honest, all I want from him is stability and power at the scrum. That's it.

[RinTin]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 4wgxjwvp5o

Interesting read. One paragraph stood out to me:

"England are keen to ensure that Under-20 Rugby World Cup winner Junior Kpoku, who plays for Toulon and could become available to France, will go on to wear white at senior level."

That ship has sailed imo.

[RinTin]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/fissler- ... ulls-star/

- LCD will honour the final year of his contract.

- James Harper being targeted by Newcastle.

- Jack Dempsey out of contract at Glasgow this summer and looking around.

[Olyy]

Good that LCD is doing his final year - hope we have a proper succession plan in place and don't have to scrabble around at the tail end of next year for a replacement. Not sure if we have anyone in the academy who'd be ready to step up (with Jibulu becoming first choice)? Caine doesn't look like a long term option

Interesting that Groves wants to move back to England - he's certainly got all the attributes you'd want from a lock (i.e. he's about 10ft tall), but I did expect him to kick on a bit more after moving home. Not sure how much Currie cup he's played though.
I know we wanted to keep him but he wanted to be closer to his family after the (very serious) health scare - would we look to bring him back? He was the higher rated of him and Bamber when they left Bristol, which seems mad now!

Harper to Newcastle rumour is a little surprising - definitely feels like a Dimes kinda target. I guess they do need to stock up an EQP players (and warm bodies in general seeing as most of their squad is on 1yr deals atm)

[Olyy]

Our latest recruit in the front row starts for Wales at tighthead. Interested to see how he goes as, if I'm honest, all I want from him is stability and power at the scrum. That's it.

Fair play he held his own today - scrum started to creak a bit as the game went on but mostly solid
Much better than I expected tbh

Smith, off the bench, has his opposite number on toast

[Evo]

Two decent stand ins for Todd and Asher...

Just need beef in the back 5 now....

[Flumpty]

Our latest recruit in the front row starts for Wales at tighthead. Interested to see how he goes as, if I'm honest, all I want from him is stability and power at the scrum. That's it.

Smith, off the bench, has his opposite number on toast

And didn't give any pens away !!

[Surbiton_Shark]

Our latest recruit in the front row starts for Wales at tighthead. Interested to see how he goes as, if I'm honest, all I want from him is stability and power at the scrum. That's it.

Smith, off the bench, has his opposite number on toast

And didn't give any pens away !!

Just hand over next years Prem to us now!!!!!! :-)

[RinTin]

Apparently we tabled an offer for Koch, but he has decided to stay in Durban.

[Olyy]

Guessing that's before we signed Francis?
I imagine we're promoting from within to replace Harper

[Olyy]

Wehr's short term deal has expired and he's left the club

[dinogyro]

I wonder why they never actually gave him the chance to show what he could do? Shame.

[RinTin]

Ultimately he was emergency cover, and Axe ended up doing the right thing and using the academy lads (Ene, Wills, Bradshaw) a lot to fill the gaps. Wehr came to make up the numbers, and the one start he got he was injured and off after 20 minutes.

[Clutch]

Trouble is the young lads aren't exactly great. Wills has done better than I thought but he can't run, which is an unrectifiable flaw. Not seen much in Ene. Poor Bradshaw hardly got a pass last time out.

Wehr obviously flawed defensively, but sad that a fast steppy lad can't get a look in in favour of someone who's decent in the air and not much else.

[Olyy]

Thought Ene looked pretty good when given a shot recently (Sharks, was it?) but him not really having a sniff before or after shows where he is in the pecking order I guess

[Bronzbronx]

Thought Ene looked pretty good when given a shot recently (Sharks, was it?) but him not really having a sniff before or after shows where he is in the pecking order I guess

Newcastle Red Bulls are poised to make another swoop on Sale Sharks, with winger Obi Ene set to follow James Harper and Raffi Quirke to Kingston Park this summer.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/fissler- ... -position/

[SSR]

Newcastle the new Wasps it would appear.

[SSR]

I will not be surprised to see Tom C out of action for a while. Limping badly after being bent
backwards in the foul clearout.

[Olyy]

Looks like two announcements today, one at 10am and one at 1pm - looks like a Fiji flag in the background of the teaser

[45jumper]

Surprised Ene isn't getting much of a go, liked the look of him. He was good in the Cup game against the Sharks. Be a shame to see him leave.

[AndaleManito]

https://www.salesharks.com/2026/02/23/s ... oganimasi/

Great signing! 6 tries in 12 games for the Drua isn't too shabby

[Olyy]

Happy with that - don't know much about him but you don't get into the Fiji 7s side without being a serious talent ball in hand

I know Clutch has mentioned it a number of times before, but I thought it was noticeable vs Gloucester on Friday how little pace we have in the backline - hopefully this helps out there

[ejndavid95]

Assuming the Loganimasi signing confirms Ene will be off. He was a major takeout from Super Rugby R1 recently, so you'd be happy with that!

Given NRB are reportedly offering massively inflated salaries, can't entirely blame Ene for taking that offer.

Wing stocks of Roebuck / Reed / Wills / Loganimasi / TOF(?) are decent.

[RinTin]

Assuming the Loganimasi signing confirms Ene will be off. He was a major takeout from Super Rugby R1 recently, so you'd be happy with that!

Given NRB are reportedly offering massively inflated salaries, can't entirely blame Ene for taking that offer.

Wing stocks of Roebuck / Reed / Wills / Loganimasi / TOF(?) are decent.

https://www.salesharks.com/2026/02/23/s ... oganimasi/

Confirmed! THIS IS NOT A DRILL - WE HAVE SIGNED AN EXCITING, YOUNG PLAYER.

[AndaleManito]

Just had a look at his highlights, he seems pretty handy

[SSR]

Looks great, but what is he like in the Salford cold and wet ?
Not complaining just a little wary from past failures. Can we actually get the ball to him?
Not really sure wing was the priority signing.

[AndaleManito]

eh, don't think we should complain about lack of pace in the back 3, and then when we sign a pacy back 3 player, complain that we won't be able to get the ball to him.

I agree though that we need some high profile signings in other important areas - 9, lock, and 8. If we go into next season without some quality players in those positions, no way can we be top 4 IMO.

[dinogyro]

eh, don't think we should complain about lack of pace in the back 3, and then when we sign a pacy back 3 player, complain that we won't be able to get the ball to him.

You are correct, but I feel we have some form with this very thing. Hopefully we'll be playing a different way next year?

[RinTin]

He plays both wings and has played 15 for Fiji.

Looking at the fact we have had to rely on academy/ youth on the wings a lot this year, combined with bringing Wehr in, I think it's safe to say another senior back 3 player is welcome. Certainly prevents us being tempted to stick Marchant out there.

[Stoke Shark]

Hearing the 1 pm signing could be an 8?

[Olyy]

That'd be interesting, been trying to think who it could be, only rumours I can think of are:
Kpoku (seems very likely to be staying at Toulon now)
Faf (seems likely to be going to France now)
Lavanini

[SSR]

I was not complaining about the speed of our wings, just our ability to take advantage of
them when we have them.
Looking at the Sale ins/outs on https://all.rugby/transfers/sale
there are some obvious problem positions. I think we have made a mistake with letting
Raffi go, unless the powers that be have something in hand. Also note that Nye is missing
from the roster ( mistake ?). The midfield looks a bit aged . Not sure where we plan on
using Marchant to best effect. It is quite noticeable that France, Italy, Ireland and Scotland
have big fast midfields. Fast players abound everywhere.
We also need much more grunt in the forwards. Lots of deficiencies and a fair few players
we could/should replace, but can we afford to?

[Olyy]

https://www.salesharks.com/2026/02/23/s ... nakaivata/

Not sure I've seen much of him play (I see he's played against England so I must have, just can't remember)

6ft1 and 16st5, seems to be more general backrower than the big rampaging 8 we need - though stats rarely tell the whole story

Looking forward to seeing him play, welcome aboard

[Dave L]

Just had a look at Fiji's fixtures from 2025. EC played at seven in Fiji's Autumn Internationals, summer tour games and the bulk of the Pacific Nations Series games.

He did play at eight against Samoa in the latter.

[SSR]

The signing of 2 players with wives who are friends is a good touch, hopefully will
find the change less difficult. Looks like two decent players signed.

[RinTin]

He's at 7 for Fiji because Big Bill Mata is first choice 8.

Club he is more often an 8 and seems very adept there. Comes in as first choice there for us. Logan understudy. Just reviewed some highlights and he carries very well - similar to Ben Earl in a lot of ways.

As long as it keeps TC on the flank I'm happy.

To add to this, I am now getting carried away as this guy sizes up almost identically to Botia...

[AndaleManito]

Another good signing I think, he seems highly rated by Drua fans.

Thinking of best 23 for next year, currently could look like:

1. Rodd
2. LCD
3. AOF
4. Bamber
5. EVR
6. Curry
7. Curry
8. Canakaivata

9. Warr
10. Ford
11. Loganimasi
12. RMW
13. Marchant
14. Roebuck
15. Carpenter

16. Jibulu
17. Francis
18. Smith
19. Burrow/Andrews
20. Vermeulen/Logan
21. Thomas (?)
22. Lozowski
23. Louw/James/Reed

(leaves out players of note: Harper, McElroy, Dugdale, Sam Bedlow, O'Flaherty)

Thoughts:
- Best XXIII front row stocks look good, not sure whether there's much depth after that

- 8(9 if Louw benched)/23 non EQP, not sure whether that's over any limits

- Desperately need true quality additions at 4/5 and 9, just Warr and Nye not going to cut it at the top, though I do like Nye. 2 more quality locks needed really, ideally one as a hybrid 5/6 like Weise/Itoje style. Perhaps Burrow will put on some more tin over Summer, if so then only need one more.

- Not convinced that EVR is a lock anyway, think he's much better as a 6.

- Backrow depth is still light, for such an attritional position. After that XXIII we've got Dugdale, Birch, Davies, Woodman. Only Dugdale I would say is prem quality at the moment, and he wouldn't be starting for any top 6 team I believe. Haven't seen enough of Logan to tell yet.

- When Ford is injured/away with England, looks like Lozowski/Curtis will be our 10. Questions marks still over Curtis, though I'd love for things to finally start clicking for him, and Lozowski is surely a 13 more than a 10.

- Centre seems overstocked: RMW, Marchant, Lozowski, S Bedlow, J Bedlow, Louw, L James

- All the above assumes that we have no other leavers, which I'm not sure will be the case.

- Assumes the Currys stay fit - I honestly doubt that both will still be playing at 30, they're too strong and hardy for their own good! Warburton retired at 29 and the twins play harder than him... Less of an immediate issue going into next season though I suppose.

...............

Really positive signings, but as others have pointed out, we do need more. I doubt we'll get everything on the shopping list, but a world- or near-world class at 9 and the same at lock x2 (or a lock and a hybrid lock/6/8 and I'd be quite confident going into next season.

[Olyy]

8 is the max non-EQP - averaged out, at least. They check halfway through the season and at the end of the season - if you're under an average of 15 EQP you get a fine, and i think maybe even points deduction?

Of the players you mentioned there's heavy rumours of Harper and Birch leaving, and McElroy and Andrews are out of contract


2, 4/5 and 9 are the issues atm - could probably get away without signing a 2 (not my personal preference, but i could see them not as McElroy has barely featured) but we don't have anyone behind Warr really challenging the starting role (Hanson looks promising but probably a season or two away - Wootton not been getting much game time at Doncaster either)
Surely we can't lose another lock without signing any?

[AndaleManito]

Canakaivata highlights.

The more I think about it the more I think these are some really smart signings together. "but can they do it on a cold wet night in stoke" of course, and I'm sure it will take some time to get used to the prem, but I like what I've seen so far!

[RinTin]

For them this will be a huge cultural leap. I have my doubts about how fast they will hit the ground running, but at least they are doing it together.

These guys aren't NZ or Oz Fijians - they are born and bred Fiji who haven't played for any other squads other than those orientated around Fiji. They didn't grow up in Auckland or Brisbane and then decide who to go to.

Hope they settle, but they need to be given time. I'm not expecting anything blockbuster from the get go.

[AndaleManito]

For them this will be a huge cultural leap. I have my doubts about how fast they will hit the ground running, but at least they are doing it together.

These guys aren't NZ or Oz Fijians - they are born and bred Fiji who haven't played for any other squads other than those orientated around Fiji. They didn't grow up in Auckland or Brisbane and then decide who to go to.

Hope they settle, but they need to be given time. I'm not expecting anything blockbuster from the get go.

Good points, hadn't considered the cultural side, suppose we take it for granted as the Saffas came over to a largely ready-made pool of other Saffas (of course made by Jono and Faf)

[Clutch]

The fact they are here as a pair, and their families are friends has to be huge.

Having them and Marchant adds much needed pace to the squad. loz is quick too, in theory, despite his age. Don't think we are overstocked at centre, just one of the few positions we have depth. Can't see the Bedlow's staying. Sam has been a good player, but he's potentially 4th choice 12 assuming Loz can play there. Joe isn't good enough surely and the two kids in the wings, Roberts and Wilson looking promising.

Sanderson is talking the talk re playing more expansively. We clearly have signed players to do so, off the back of a solid scrum, but will Sanderson follow through and commit. I think he believes it, but at the moment I don't.
And the bigger issue is we still have Warr at 9, who would struggle to get in the 23 of most other teams. Nye is 3rd choice now so that means Hanson is second choice. That's a championship level squad of 9s, lets not beat around the bush. We have to sign someone, and not ageing Faff!!
And we didn't let Raffi go, he decided to leave, and he's been offered a fortune by all accounts. All players have a value and if a team wants to offer a significant amount above that it is hard to compete. And he wanted to leave it appears and try something new.

[Olyy]

Says on the iffy that Canakaivata is in the Navy - not sure if he's played rugby for them but he'll at least have seen a bit of wind and rain in his time