By Behindthebench
February 25 2016

Although coming off a deeply frustrating loss at Worcester on Saturday, in which the Wasps-bound Danny Cipriani missed four kicks at goal, Sale will represent a formidable proposition for Sarries, having not lost at home in over a year, and with an increasingly settled side, which seems to be yielded dividends, with a solid defence and variety in attack

Given their status as an outpost, not helped by their remote ground location,  former Saracens chief Steve Diamond has done well to mould this Sharks side into a consistently competitive outfit in recent seasons, who are second favourites for European Challenge Cup honours in Lyon, and, in seventh place in the table, still have an outside chance of the top four, as well as Champions Cup rugby next season. The contrast between home and away form this season has been stark, with a 41-3 loss at Saracens on the opening day setting the tone for some disappointing results away from home, but they opened their home campaign with a 27-13 home win over Worcester Warriors, as Sale enjoyed a bonus point win with tries from Danny Cipriani, David Seymour, Josh Beaumont and Jonny Leota, and this was backed up by a 20-13 success over Northampton Saints at Barton thanks to Sam James and Will Addison. They then travelled to Harlequins and were edged out 16-14 as late missed kicks proved decisive, after tries for Dan Braid and James, before losing 30-12 at Newport Gwent Dragons in the opening European Challenge Cup match, but then beat Pau in a 29-20 home bonus point win. Back in the Premiership, they drew 15-15 at home to Newcastle Falcons, with a quintet of Cipriani penalties in very poor conditions.

December marked a continuation of the mixed form, as it began with a 23-19 loss at Gloucester, where Nev Edwards continued his breakthrough with two well-taken tries. However, a double success in Europe against Castres reignited Sale's season, beginning with a 17-10 win in France where Edwards got the opening try inside 40 seconds, and back at home, a 31-10 win was secured. 2015 was destined to end on a subdued note, though, with a 33-17 loss at Exeter Chiefs.  The start of 2016 would bring six straight wins, though, getting underway with a 15-9 home win over Wasps in which Cipriani kicked all of the points. amd continuing with a 27-3 bonus point win in Pau in Europe. A Quarter Final berth was duly secured as a bonus point 38-5 home win was claimed against Newport Gwent Dragons, through Brian Mujati, Beaumont, Edwards and Mike Haley, whilst a powerful attacking display served up a 38-10 home win over London Irish. However, they showed another side to their game as formidable defence produced a 10-3 win at Leicester, through Beaumont's try, and three first half tries served up a 24-17 home success against Exeter, whilst the 31-23 loss at Worcester brings the story up to date. 

In terms of the game, Saracens will need to be at their best, as Sale have an attack potentially as dangerous as any in the division. Whilst Cipriani takes star billing with his creative play and dangerous kicking game, which makes the best of a talented backline, there is plenty of threat from the wings in their own right, and with veteran scrum half Peter Stringer seemingly improving with age with an unfailing speedy and accurate pass, the Sharks are well primed to profit from quick ball, as well as being a real threat on the counter attack with pace, width and assured handling. As with Exeter, for example, they have a very strong plan B, as the driving maul is one of the best of the competition and has been a useful source of tries as well, both directly, and creating field position, as at Gloucester, for Cipriani to have an effect, with former Sarrie David Seymour alongside new England recruit Josh Beaumont at the heart of an effective back row adept at winning turnovers and contributing to an effective defensive record, at least at home. Injury will deny the home support what will probably the last opportunity to see the Charlie Hodgson - Richard Wigglesworth combination which served them so well and indeed started in the famous 2006 Premiership final win, the Cheshire side's greatest moment, which they are slowly progressing back towards. Saracens will be aware of the potential opportunities to counter-attack themselves, and may opt to use the kicking game again to ensure that they are playing in the right areas and look to gain an advantage in the scrum so that the dangerous home back line is denied service. given their finishing prowess.

A possible Sale line up sees Mile Haley at full back, with Tom Arscott and Edwards occupying the wing berths, outside a centre partnership of James and Sam Tuitupou, with Cipriani and Stringer combining at half back. Moving to the forwards, and Eifion Lewis-Roberts should start at loosehead with Tommy Taylor at hooker and Brian Mujati in the tighthead berth. Bryn Evans and Jonathan Mills should team up at lock, with a back row comprising of Magnus Lund, Seymour and Beaumont. For Saracens, after an enterprising try last weekend, Ben Ransom should stay at full back, with Mike Ellery and Chris Wyles staying on the wings, and a revised centre partnership of Marcelo Bosch and Brad Barritt, with Hodgson accompanying Neil de Kock in the half backs. Forwards-wise, there could be an unfamiliar front row of Titi Lamositele, Jared Saunders and Juan Figallo, with Hayden Smith continuing alongside Jim Hamilton in the second row, and a back row of Kelly Brown, Jacques Burger and Samu Vunisa.