It has been an incredible 2011-12 season so far for Sale Sharks and it promises to get even better next season for them. There was drastic change in the summer which has been well documented: where 21 players left and 17 players coming in plus there were changes to the coaching staff with Tony Hanks coming in to help Steve Diamond and Stevie Scott. Steve Diamond targeted Heineken Cup rugby for his side this season and only time will tell whether or not they will achieve that aim, but they have already laid their state of intent down for next season with certain key signings to strengthen them.
Dimes has already said that there won't be the same level of player recruitment as last season but there have been two confirmed signings already. One is the return of the 'Fridge'! Eifion Lewis Roberts is coming back home after a year in Toulon. This is a huge signing for Sale, literally! Arguably, one of Sale's weaknesses this season has been their scrum. It has been a tough time for the likes of Henry Thomas and Lee Imiolek who are young props full of potential but it is an awful lot of pressure to put on them to play them week in week out. Sale also have Tony Buckley, a great addition to the scrum and they also have Vadim Cobilas. With Andrew Sheridan leaving to go to Toulon, the front row was lacking in depth and with Eifion coming back gives the scrum more stability. He has proven record for his scrummaging, he can play both sides of the scrum which is invaluable and he is a popular player within the squad and will easily buy into the vision of the club.
The next huge signing for the club is the Scottish lock Richie Gray. Here is a player who is a Lion in the waiting. He is a huge presence to have in the second row and he is very mobile. Richie could have gone to French clubs or other clubs in England to earn big bucks but instead he chose to come to Sale which just shows the attraction of the club and where it has come from in the past few years. Richie is bound to have contacted the Scottish contingent Sale have in Richie Vernon, Fraser McKenzie, Alasdair Dickinson and the coach Stevie Scott. They will have told him how good the club is and how easily they have settled in. For Richie it will be chance for him to prove that he can cut it in the Premiership scene and all fans are excited to see him. He is potentially one of the best players in the world and it is great he has chosen Sale to go to the next step of his career.
Now Sale are rumoured to be in for another player for next season and there are many reasons to who that player will be. Diamond has already said that they are looking for a fly-half so there are quite a few names flying about at the current moment. Stephen Jones has been said to have held talks with the club, and I think he would be a good signing. Although he isn't the flashiest player, he does what is needed i.e. kicks the goals and controls play superbly. Another player Sale are rumoured to be in negotiations with is Danny Cipriani. The reaction of fans has been mixed to this. Some are excited saying it will be the biggest coup if Sale pull it off and in some respect it would be. On his day, he is a world-class player capable of doing the unknown so it does excite me. The thing that just worries fans is his off the field antics and whether his ego will be too big for Sale to manage. Diamond has managed to do it with Powell so why not for Danny! It is very exciting times lying ahead for Sale and things can only get better.
