Earlier this week saw Sale Sharks lift the Premiership Rugby Cup, the club’s first silverware in 14 years, but Sale’s Director of Rugby Steve Diamond made it clear that attention has always been on the Gallagher Premiership.
Monday night’s final victory over Harlequins was a massive step forward for the Sharks, but Diamond believes the last two Gallagher Premiership rounds will be the real test, with Northampton Saints on Tuesday and Worcester Warriors the following Sunday for Sale.
Diamond said: “It was important we won, and we were glad we won, but the real focus is always on the league really.
“We’ve got a lot to do. Northampton will be a difficult challenge, they’re a very proud club.”
The final against Harlequins was Sale’s first since 2013, and Diamond will be treating Tuesday’s crunch game against Saints as another final.
“They’ve got some massive threats, but I’m going to move our team around a bit and go to win the game.
“We’ve just go to execute our opportunities, and if we do that and we’re disciplined, the game plan won’t be too detailed. It is a cup final in itself,” Diamond said.
Sale sit in 4th in the Premiership table, level on points with Bristol Bears in 5th but occupy the last play-off position on points difference.
Despite the tightness at the top, Diamond is excited about what is set to be a thrilling end to the 2019/20 season.
Diamond added “Everybody’s got to win both games.
“It’s an exciting end to it, nobody likes a dead rubber. Everybody’s fighting each other.”
If Sale pick up a win against Northampton next week, that will make it three wins from three against Saints in all competitions this season.
Sale Sharks travel to Franklin’s Gardens on Tuesday to face Northampton Saints in round 21 of the Gallagher Premiership (KO: 5:30pm).
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