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‘Sour’ Alex Sanderson hits out at refereeing after Bath beat Sale

kieran crichard
·34-min read
Arron Reed of Sale Sharks breaks through the tackle of Finn Russell
Finn Russell tries to slow down Arron Reed - Getty Images/ Jan Kruger

An angry Alex Sanderson admitted to a sour aftertaste as Sale’s year-long unbeaten home record was brought to an end in controversial circumstances by Premiership leaders Bath.

The Sale director of rugby’s usual zen calm went out of the window as his side ended up empty-handed after a defeat which leaves them with much to do from seventh place to make the play-offs.

The incident which riled him came six minutes from time as under-resourced Sharks, deprived of eight England players by pre-Six Nations mothballing, were pressing hard for the converted try that would have given them the lead at Salford Stadium.

Wing Arron Reed split Bath’s defence open but some desperate cover from the visitors saw referee Karl Dickson award Bath a contentious breakdown penalty 10 metres from their own line and in a flash Finn Russell had hammered the penalty downfield into open space for substitute Tom Carr-Smith to win the race and score.

Game over.

“That was the game. There were loads of opportunities when we could’ve taken the game away from them, but there was a 14-point swing there that I’m really struggling to get over,” said Sanderson.

“Honestly, I’ve got sour grapes. We’ll go through due process, look at the tapes, but I don’t have to look at them. There’s a hand on the floor, the ball is kicked four, five metres past the mark, yet the try stands. That’s the game, that’s where it went.

“It was a massive effort. That’s why it hurts so much, why it stings. There were still things under our control that could’ve taken the game away from then, we’ll look at them and own that.

“But there’s elements of that game which weren’t under our control, which is why it hurts so much off the back of that effort.”

Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan saw the incident differently, preferring to point to the vision of Russell in seeing what was on.

“I have a saying: ‘Talent needs a target that nobody else can hit but a genius hits a target that nobody else can see,’” said Van Graan.

“You’ve got to see those things. He’s the one that made the decision, kicked it down and TC [Tom Carr-Smith] finished it quite well. That’s why he is one of the best players in the world.

“I said to him in the changing room he is one of the players in world rugby you want in your team. He is going to be great for Scotland in the Six Nations but he was great for us tonight.

“You need special players in big games to come through and he certainly came through for us tonight.”

The Scotland stand-off was indeed special, creating both of Ruaridh McConnochie’s first-half tries with his sleight of hand. The delay on his pass for the second score in added time was exquisite.

Bath, without four England players themselves, needed that try as they had been outplayed at that point by a Sale side who had crossed twice through Reed and stand-off Rob du Preez.

Bath took the lead for the first time in the 54th minute when centre Max Ojomoh muscled his way over after 20 phases of keep ball.

Carr-Smith’s breakaway score pushed Bath out of sight.

The stand-off’s added-time penalty meant that Sale did not even earn the consolation of a bonus point despite

Joe Carpenter’s late try, converted by Du Preez, gave Sale hopes of a losing bonus point but even that was snatched away by Russell’s penalty with the last act of the game which took his points tally to 12 on what was a difficult wind-affected day for the kickers.

For Scotland coach Gregor Townsend, Russell’s form ahead of the start of the Six Nations next weekend, will have warmed the cockles.

However he will be concerned by the update on flanker Josh Bayliss who limped off late in the first half.

“Josh Bayliss looks like he has a pretty serious groin injury. He’ll go for his scans but he’s in a bit of trouble unfortunately,” said Van Graan.

Wales prop WillGriff John will definitely miss the opening round of the Six Nations after the Sale tight-head went off during the first half with a concussion.

Match details

Scoring sequence 5-0 Reed try, 8-0 R du Preez pen, 8-5 McConnochie try, 13-5 R du Preez try, 16-5 R du Preez pen, 16-10 McConnochie try, 16-12 Russell con, 17-16 Ojomoh try, 19-16 Russell con, 22-16 Russell pen, 27-16 Carr-Smith try, 29-16 Russell con, 29-21 Carpenter try, 29-23 con R du Preez, 32-23 Russell pen

Sale Sharks J Carpenter, T O’Flaherty, W Addison (A Wills 79), R Ma’asi-White (S Bedlow 72), A Reed; R du Preez, G Warr; S McIntyre (T Onasanya 71), E Caine (T McElroy 69), W John (T Raymont 26), E van Rhyn, H Andrews (J Hill 46), J-L du Preez, S Dugdale, S du Preez.

Bath T de Glanville; J Cokanasiga, M Ojomoh, W Butt, R McConnochie; F Russell, L Schreuder (T Carr-Smith 57); B Obano, N Annett, T du Toit  (V Sela 55), Q Roux, C Ewels, J Bayliss (E Richards 38), M Reid, A Barbeary (J Coetzee 60).

Referee Karl Dickson.

05:23 PM GMT

Joe Carpenter speaking to TNT

“Bit gutted after that. We did ourselves proud with the way we performed. We were not clinical enough but with eight England internationals away we showed up. It has been a bit of running theme for us recently that we have not been clinical enough. It hurts at home to lose. It is gutting. They are a brilliant side, when they get on the front foot they are hard to stop. They were just more clinical than us today.

“It would be easy for us to get annoyed at that [where Finn Russell took the penalty kick for Bath’s bonus-point try] but they were more engaged than us and we were slow to react to their kick. That was a moment we were not engaged and they were. Credit to them for taking the opportunity. There was a really good group at my age coming through. Alex Sanderson backs the young players. Tye [Raymont] was incredible today, he was outstanding. We need depth when the internationals away. Big shout-out to Tye.”

05:13 PM GMT

Sanderson frustrated

The Sale director of rugby is not happy with where Finn Russell took the penalty when Bath scored their bonus-point try. The replays show that Russell did not take it from where the penalty was given. TNT pundits Sam Warburton and Brian O’Driscoll say in response that kickers take some liberties when it comes to taking penalties like that. It seems strange that former players basically admit that it is illegal but back the decision because it happens during games. What they are essentially saying is it is ok because others get away with it at times. Interestingly though the referees are hot on the mark if it came to a penalty at goal right at the end of a game when the game is on the line. Make that make sense!

05:09 PM GMT

Alex Sanderson speaking to TNT

05:06 PM GMT

Break for the Six Nations

The Premiership will pause for the next couple of months during the Six Nations and the Premiership Rugby Cup will kick in. Round 12 of the Premiership comes towards the end of March:

Friday 21st March:

Newcastle vs Sale

Northampton vs Leicester

Saturday 22nd March:

Saracens vs Harlequins

Bristol vs Exeter

Sunday 23rd March:

Bath vs Gloucester

05:02 PM GMT

Premiership table through 11 rounds

  1. Bath- 46 points

  2. Bristol- 40 points

  3. Gloucester- 35 points

  4. Leicester- 35 points

  5. Saracens- 34 points

  6. Harlequins- 32 points

  7. Sale- 29 points

  8. Northampton- 26 points

  9. Exeter- 15 points

  10. Newcastle- 9 points

05:01 PM GMT

This weekend’s Premiership results

Friday:

Harlequins 22-19 Northampton

Saturday:

Gloucester 38-31 Leicester

Exeter 31-22 Saracens

Sunday:

Bristol 55-35 Newcastle

Sale 23-32 Bath

04:59 PM GMT

Charlie Ewels post-match

“We targeted this game as a massive game. Sale do not lose here often so I am chuffed with that. We want to find ways to beat teams in all conditions, whether it is in the set-piece or out wide. There are three or four things that we hang our hat on; the set-piece, kick game and physicality around the breakdown. You do not want to be a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. Coming up is another mini pre-season. We leave ourselves in a pretty good position going into this break.”

04:56 PM GMT

The thoughts of man of the match Miles Reid

“It was a tough one. Pretty slow in the first half. The last 20 minutes was tough and credit to Sale, who put up a big fight. They pride themselves on the physical battle and their attack out wide at times was class. We tried to go for it in the first half but the wind was a factor. The wind was in our favour in that second half. It was a massive game on our journey this season. Being top is massive.”

04:51 PM GMT

Full-time

Russell lands it and Sale get nothing from the game. Bath win it up in Salford.

04:50 PM GMT

80 mins: Sale 23 Bath 29

Bath win a penalty with the clock in the red right in front of the posts and point to the posts to deny Sale anything from the game.

04:47 PM GMT

TRY! Carpenter barges his way over

With just 90 seconds remaining, Sale have their third try. After numerous phases deep inside the Bath 22, Sale send it into the hands of the backs and Carpenter smashes through a few tackles and scores. R du Preez lands the conversion and the gap is now just six points with under a minute remaining.

04:45 PM GMT

76 mins: Sale 16 Bath 29

Sale are awarded a penalty just outside the Bath 22 and Bath are then marched back 10. A massive scuffle then ensues as tensions boil over. All caused by Bath kicking the ball away after the whistle had gone. Anyway Sale go to the corner.

04:42 PM GMT

TRY! Bath get their bonus point

Sale look like they might score at one end but Bath go down the other end and score a try of their own. Russell takes the penalty quickly from deep inside his own 22 and catches Sale out. Carr-Smith gets on the end of it, kicks ahead and scores the visitors’ bonus-point try. Russell lands the conversion and Bath’s leads is now 13 points.

04:40 PM GMT

72 mins: Sale 16 Bath 22

Sale have the lineout that is overthrown but R du Preez gathers. Sale have it inside the Bath 22 but once more make a mistake as they knock on and another chance goes by.

04:38 PM GMT

71 mins: Sale 16 Bath 22

Sale win a penalty on their own 10-metre line as Reid is punished for going off his feet at the breakdown. JL du Preez is receiving some treatment but is fine to continue.

04:35 PM GMT

69 mins: Sale 16 Bath 22

Sale change at hooker as McElroy replaces Caine.

04:34 PM GMT

67 mins: Sale 16 Bath 22

Sale once again make good ground towards the Bath 22 but again waste their opportunity as Caine steps into touch before offloading inside.

04:30 PM GMT

64 mins: Sale 16 Bath 22

Sale make great ground into the Bath 22 but knock on at the crucial moment and the chance is gone for the hosts.

Sale make a change in their pack as Bamber replaces Dugdale. News from the Bath HIA as du Toit returns.

04:27 PM GMT

PENALTY BATH!

Russell nails his kick and Bath now lead by six points.

04:26 PM GMT

61 mins: Sale 16 Bath 19

Sale are penalised on their 10-metre line as Dugdale is punished at the breakdown. Sale wanted a penalty of their own but end up being punished. Bath point to the posts...

04:23 PM GMT

58 mins: Sale 16 Bath 19

Bath are making a double change in the front-row as Obano and Annett are replaced by van Wyk and Dunn.

04:19 PM GMT

56 mins: Sale 16 Bath 19

After a terrific break from Carpenter from halfway, Sale make good ground towards the Bath 22 but Addison knocks on. His frustration is visible as he slams the ground.

Bath are making a change at scrum-half as Schreuder is replaced by Carr-Smith.

04:18 PM GMT

55 mins: Sale 16 Bath 19

Bath are forced into a HIA as du Toit goes off, replaced by Sela.

04:17 PM GMT

TRY! Ojomoh has his try this time

Bath were denied around five minutes ago but not this time. Sale defend 20 phases in their own 22 but Bath then send it wide to the right. Cokanasiga gets an offload off to Ojomoh, who cannot be stopped. Russell nails his conversion and Bath take the lead for the first time today.

04:11 PM GMT

49 mins: Sale 16 Bath 12

Sale get the maul rolling forward towards halfway and are awarded the penalty. That is a big mistake though as R du Preez kicks dead when he had the opportunity to earn Sale a lineout on the Bath 22.

Sale compound errors as they concede a penalty at the scrum. That has shifted things about 70 metres from what should have been a Sale lineout on the Bath 22 to a Bath lineout on the Sale 22.

04:09 PM GMT

47 mins: Sale 16 Bath 12

Bath think they have taken the lead but the try is chalked off. Ojomoh is put through a gap by a well-timed pass from Russell but he juggles the ball as he approaches the final defender O’Flaherty. Ojomoh had not quite regained control as the ball made contact with O’Flaherty so the decision is no try.

Bath then concede a penalty moments after the scrum which gives Sale the chance to clear their lines.

04:06 PM GMT

45 mins: Sale 16 Bath 12

Barbeary wins a penalty on the halfway line as Sale are punished for holding on. Russell kicks to the Sale 22.

Sale are making a change in the pack as Hill is on for Andrews in the second row.

04:03 PM GMT

43 mins: Sale 16 Bath 12

Sale will not have the scrum as D du Preez is penalised for a high tackle on Cokanasiga.

04:01 PM GMT

42 mins: Sale 16 Bath 12

Sale have an early penalty in this second half as Bath are caught offside. The home side go to the corner. They have a lineout inside the Bath 22 and give up possession. They try to run it out of their own 22 but knock on.

04:00 PM GMT

Second half

We are back under way in Salford. We now have clarification on the clock situation at the end of the first half. The stadium clock and Karl Dickson’s clock were correct but TNT Sports’ clock was wrong. So Dickson was correct to allow the scrum that eventually led to McConnochie’s score.

The television clock trouble did not impact at the ground.

The stadium clock was correct so there was no confusion for players or referee - only for TV viewers.

Someone at TNT must have forgotten to press stop during the breaks in play.

03:56 PM GMT

Seven points in it at Ashton Gate

It is also half-time in the west country and Bristol lead Newcastle 21-14. The hosts raced out to a 21-0 lead before the visitors hit back with two tries in the final ten minutes of the half to make it a seven-point game at Ashton Gate. You can follow the second half from that match right here.

03:49 PM GMT

This weekend’s Premiership fixtures

Friday:

Harlequins 22-19 Northampton

Saturday:

Gloucester 38-31 Leicester

Exeter 31-22 Saracens

Sunday:

Bristol 21-14 Newcastle HT

Sale 16-12 Bath HT

03:44 PM GMT

TRY! McConnochie scores with the clock in the red

This is remarkable. The clock is miles into the red yet referee Karl Dickson has allowed play to continue from a scrum just inside the Bath half. The visitors make good ground into the Sale half. McConnochie makes a great break from outside the Sale 22 and races through to score. Russell lands the conversion and Sale’s lead is cut to four points at the break. We need some answers for this. Was the TV clock miles out of sync? If so there should have been clarification and a clear statement from Karl Dickson that the TV clock was wrong before the scrum took place.

Lovely stuff from Finn Russell to put Ruaridh McConnochie over for his second try just before the break. The delay on it was exquisite.

That has brought Bath back into after a stodgy first half against the sharper hosts.

A four-point deficit brings them within range.

If Russell is playing himself in nicely for the Six Nations, the news isn’t as good for Scotland elsewhere with Josh Bayliss limping off late on in the first half.

03:43 PM GMT

40 mins: Sale 16 Bath 5

This is extraordinary. The clock is nearly two minutes into the red yet Karl Dickson says there are a few seconds remaining. What is going on?

03:39 PM GMT

39 mins: Sale 16 Bath 5

Bayliss is limping off for Bath and Richards is coming on for him.

03:39 PM GMT

PENALTY SALE!

R du Preez gets the three and Sale lead 16-5 with just over a minute left in this first half.

03:38 PM GMT

37 mins: Sale 13 Bath 5

Bath force a turnover inside their own 22 but immediately concede a penalty as Sale win it at the breakdown. The hosts point to the posts.

News from the Sale HIA and John will not return, meaning Raymont will play the rest of the match.

03:36 PM GMT

36 mins: Sale 13 Bath 5

A slightly strange sequence of play down the left wing ends up in a Sale lineout inside the Bath 22 as the last touch came off the boot of Reid.

03:33 PM GMT

33 mins: Sale 13 Bath 5

Ewels is going off for a HIA so Molony is coming on for the visitors.

03:29 PM GMT

TRY! R du Preez responds immediately for the hosts

Just a couple of minutes after Bath get on the scoresheet, Sale respond. Carpenter puts a grubber kick through from the edge of the Bath 22 and O’Flaherty gets on the end of it. He is tackled just shy of the line and Sale have a penalty advantage. They do not need it though as R du Preez picks up quickly down the blindside and dots down. He cannot convert his own try though and Sale lead 13-5.

03:27 PM GMT

27 mins: Sale 8 Bath 5

Sale are being forced into a HIA as John goes off to be replaced by Raymont.

03:25 PM GMT

TRY! McConnochie over in the corner for the visitors

Sale have a ruck on the edge of their 22 but the ball is adjudged to be out so du Toit races to dive on it. Sale not happy as they did not feel it was out but referee Karl Dickson says it is. Also appeared that du Toit dived on the ball within a metre of the ruck. Bath then move into the Sale 22 and have a penalty advantage. They ship it wide to the left, where McConnochie goes over in the corner. Russell cannot land the conversion.

03:23 PM GMT

PENALTY SALE!

R du Preez makes no mistake this time and Sale lead 8-0.

03:22 PM GMT

22 mins: Sale 5 Bath 0

Annett tackles Reed off the ball and Sale are given a penalty just outside the Bath 22. The home side point to the posts...

03:21 PM GMT

21 mins: Sale 5 Bath 0

Sale are so unfortunate not to get an incredible 50-22 from R du Preez but the ball bounces in-field and Bath clear but only just outside their own 22.

03:18 PM GMT

TRY! Reed gets Sale going

Sale have the first score of the match. Bath stop the maul, which forces Sale to get it out. They go through a few phases around five metres out from Bath’s line and then R du Preez sends a long pass out wide to Reed on the left wing. He cuts inside Cokanasiga and cannot be stopped. R du Preez misses his kick to the left but Sale lead 5-0.

Sale winger Arron Reed goes over for the first try of the match
Sale on the scoresheet first - Jan Kruger/Getty Images

03:16 PM GMT

16 mins: Sale 0 Bath 0

Sale win a penalty as Ojomoh is penalised for not releasing. Sale go to the corner...

03:15 PM GMT

15 mins: Sale 0 Bath 0

R du Preez’s kick drifts wide of the left post and the hosts spurn a chance to get the first points of the match.

Schreuder then attempts a cheeky 22 drop-out but knocks on to give Sale another scrum on the Bath 22.

There will be a few Scotland fans watching this game with fingers crossed given Finn Russell’s involvement.

After the loss of Sione Tuipuloptu for the Six Nations, they desperately need to keep their star stand-off intact.

He has kept out of harm’s way so far although he hasn’t had the best of starts with a couple of forced passes going to ground.

No opportunities off the tee yet for the Bath No 10 with Rob du Preez having missed the only shot at goal so far for Sale.

03:14 PM GMT

14 mins: Sale 0 Bath 0

Sale win the first scrum penalty of the match as Obano is penalised. The home side point to the posts...

03:12 PM GMT

12 mins: Sale 0 Bath 0

Bath try to play out from their own 22 but knock on, gifting Sale a scrum on the Bath 22.

03:07 PM GMT

7 mins: Sale 0 Bath 0

Sale front up really well defensively and force the knock on after Bath go through 20 phases on the edge of the Sale 22. Sale ship it wide to the left and Reed kicks ahead. The Sale winger shows terrific speed and Sale manage to gather possession. They have it inside the Bath 22 but Reid wins an important penalty for the visitors at the breakdown.

It’s a big day for Sale academy hooker Ethan Caine who makes his first start in the absence of Luke Cowan-Dickie.

Challenging conditions for throwing in but at least the rain has abated.

Referee Karl Dickson makes him take his first one again but the 23-year-old hits Hyron Andrews on the re-take.

A strong early hit on Beno Obano and Caine is up and running.

03:03 PM GMT

3 mins: Sale 0 Bath 0

A good defensive set from Sale forces a Bath knock on and the hosts can clear their lines.

03:02 PM GMT

2 mins: Sale 0 Bath 0

Sale then concede their first penalty as they are punished for sealing off.

03:01 PM GMT

1 min: Sale 0 Bath 0

Bath are warned about access and blocking as Warr puts up a box kick and they do not listen as they concede the first penalty of the match. Sale kick towards the Bath 22.

03:00 PM GMT

Kick-off

We are under way in Salford.

02:59 PM GMT

Kick-off fast approaching

Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off in Salford. Gus Warr leads out the hosts on his 100th Sale appearance. Bath led out by Louis Schreuder on his 50th appearance for the visitors.

02:57 PM GMT

Alex Sanderson speaking pre-match

02:55 PM GMT

Reminder of the teams

Sale Sharks starting XV: 15. Joe Carpenter, 14. O’Flaherty, 13. Will Addison, 12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 11. Arron Reed, 10. Rob du Preez (c), 9. Gus Warr, 1. Si McIntyre, 2. Ethan Caine, 3. WillGriff John, 4. Ernst van Rhyn, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Jean-Luc du Preez, 7. Sam Dugdale, 8. Dan du Preez.

Replacements: 16. Tadgh McElroy, 17. Tumy Onasanya, 18. Tye Raymont, 19. Jonny Hill, 20. Ben Bamber, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Alex Wills, 23. Sam Bedlow.

Bath Rugby starting XV: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Max Ojomoh, 12 Will Butt, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Louis Schreuder; 1 Beno Obano, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels (c), 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Miles Reid, 8 Alfie Barbeary.

Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ewan Richards, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Jaco Coetzee.

02:54 PM GMT

The thoughts pre-match of Finn Russell

02:52 PM GMT

Alex Sanderson speaking to TNT

02:47 PM GMT

Preparations ramping up for the visitors

02:45 PM GMT

Meanwhile at Ashton Gate

At the same time as at the Salford Community Stadium, Bristol are hosting Newcastle and you can follow all the action from Ashton Gate with our dedicated live blog.

02:44 PM GMT

Gus Warr ahead of his 100th Sale appearance

“It’s fair to say that what I was doing before I got into the team is what has kept me in the team so I haven’t really changed as a player,” Warr said in the matchday programme. “I got an opportunity to show what I could do and I took it. Getting that run of games was massive for me and from there I’ve had the determination to keep improving, to play for Sale every week, to help the team and to play more games for Scotland. That’s a massive goal.

“I really want to make sure the team goes well. I’m not a TikTok highlights reel player. I think I’ve got it in me to create something when it’s on, but I’m not that guy. I can remember reading something about the ‘glue man’ in American sport – the player who helps get the best out of everyone around them without doing all the flashy stuff. How can I get them team playing the best way possible? That’s how I see my role.

“I’d say that Bath are probably the team most similar to us in the way they play so it’ll be a good matchup. But I’ve got full belief in the lads to go and get the result because we know where we’ll be in the table if we do. We’ll be right in the mix.

“I think the Bath players and fans are very confident in their ability and they’ll be expecting to come to our stadium and win. But for us, we’re after a bit of revenge because that semi-final last season did hurt. It’s not been part of team meetings but in huddles it’s been said. We owe them one and we don’t need any extra edge.

“What would be a successful season? The ultimate goal is to win the Premiership. We have to win games and win them well to try and get a home semi-final and if we do that, anything can happen. But our goal is to win the Premiership and I’ve got total belief in this team to do that.”

Sale scrum-half Gus Warr on the pitch before the match
Gus Warr brings up 100 in a Sale shirt today against Bath - Jan Kruger/Getty Images

02:40 PM GMT

Alex Sanderson’s reflections on win over Toulon

“The Toulon game was really pleasing for plenty of reasons, but the best thing for me wasn’t actually the result,” Sanderson said in today’s matchday programme. “In the two games previous we didn’t convert pressure into points, and the lads got frustrated and that led to us becoming snatchy and desperate and getting caught on transition. That didn’t happen against Toulon. We had so much pressure and plenty of opportunities in the first half and actually, the first try we scored was the hardest opportunity we had.

“There were loads more occasions when we could have taken easier chances, but the lads came in at half-time calm and composed and they knew that if they kept doing the right things, the floodgates would open and thankfully this time that’s what happened. Dealing with negative outcomes and going again has been something we haven’t always done well this season but against a really good Toulon team, we did that and we got the reward.

“Our intent, and the consistency of selection since the Autumn should tell you that we are going for everything this season. This game feels like a massive step towards setting up that run-in, and I know you’ll play your part.”

02:36 PM GMT

Windy up in the north west

Squally conditions at the Salford Stadium ahead of kick-off with the wind whipping around and rain in the air.

If George Ford and Sale’s first-choice pack had been in the building instead of in Girona with England that might have played into the Sharks’ hands. In their absence, Bath’s forward power would seem to give the league leaders the advantage.

Of course, the visitors have their absentees too but their team sheet looks better equipped for what lies ahead.

02:33 PM GMT

Injury update for the visitors

02:30 PM GMT

Borthwick’s choice of blindside flanker could make or break the Six Nations for England

The man in possession: Tom Curry

Tom Curry is technically the incumbent after his shift from openside to blindside flanker for the defeat of Japan, following his divisive return from the concussion he suffered against Australia. This was a prime example of tailoring the line-up to an opponent.

Essentially, it demonstrated that Borthwick was happy for Maro Itoje to run the line-out without an elite jumper in the back row to complement George Martin. None of Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Ben Earl is taller than 6ft 1in, though the first two have become reliable outlets. As it happened, an ankle injury to Underhill brought Cunningham-South into the fold early on anyway and Japan were thrashed 59-14.

Retaining Tom Curry at blindside flanker against Ireland and France – two teams with multiple disruptive jumpers – would be a risk. To secure their own ball, England would either need to rely on intricate routines such as inset lifts (where a forward begins in the receiver position and joins the line-out to hoist a team-mate) or deploy an extremely simple plan and throw to the front as often as possible.

For more from our senior rugby writer Charlie Morgan, click here.

02:27 PM GMT

Bath’s recent results

Saturday 18th January: Leinster 47-21 Bath (Champions Cup)

Sunday 12th January: Bath 40-21 Clermont (Champions Cup)

Sunday 5th January: Northampton 35-34 Bath (Gallagher Premiership)

Saturday 28th December: Bath 68-10 Saracens (Gallagher Premiership)

02:25 PM GMT

Sale’s recent results

Sunday 19th January: Sale 33-7 Toulon (Champions Cup)

Saturday 11th January: Stormers 40-0 Sale (Champions Cup)

Saturday 4th January: Gloucester 36-20 Sale (Gallagher Premiership)

Friday 27th December: Bristol 0-38 Sale (Gallagher Premiership)

02:21 PM GMT

Schedule change?

After their defeat at Exeter yesterday, Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has called for a schedule change. They were without the likes of Maro Itoje and Ben Earl last night as England prepare for their opening Six Nations fixture next weekend.

“It doesn’t feel like a Premiership weekend is necessary on a weekend like this, when there are international camps and there are players away, when it is only an 18-game regular season,” said McCall.

“We said before the game that, in lots of ways, the outcome was immaterial to what we wanted from the game, even though we obviously wanted a good outcome. We knew that come the end of the Six Nations, when the Premiership recommences, we were going to be in the mix anyway, with seven games to go.

“We had a lot of unavailability through international call-ups and the big casualty list we have got, so we brought a bit of a younger and inexperienced team and we asked them to play big today – not play within themselves – and show how good they are and not be cautious. I thought they were wonderful.”

In today’s game at Salford, Sale are without eight England internationals whilst Bath have four in Steve Borthwick’s squad. What do you think? Should the schedule be changed? England internationals do miss a lower percentage of club games than they used to but with fewer teams in the Premiership now should there be any overlap or any weekends where England players are unavailable, especially in a week England are not playing. Remember you can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.

02:14 PM GMT

Premiership table

  1. Bath- 41 points, 10 games

  2. Bristol- 35 points, 10 games

  3. Gloucester- 35 points, 11 games

  4. Leicester- 35 points, 11 games

  5. Saracens- 34 points, 11 games

  6. Harlequins- 32 points, 11 games

  7. Sale- 29 points, 10 games

  8. Northampton- 26 points, 11 games

  9. Exeter- 15 points, 11 games

  10. Newcastle- 8 points, 10 games

02:10 PM GMT

Get your fix

02:08 PM GMT

This weekend’s Premiership fixtures

Friday:

Harlequins 22-19 Northampton

Saturday:

Gloucester 38-31 Leicester

Exeter 31-22 Saracens

Sunday:

Bristol vs Newcastle 3pm

Sale vs Bath 3pm

02:03 PM GMT

Bath team news

02:00 PM GMT

Sale team news

01:58 PM GMT

Match preview

Sale Sharks hosts Bath at the Salford Community Stadium in the final round of Gallagher Premiership action before the break for the Six Nations. Alex Sanderson’s side sit in sixth place, six points off the top four, and host the current league leaders. Sale are unbeaten in 11 matches at home in all competitions and they thrashed Toulon 33-7 in the final match of the Champions Cup group stages this time a week ago to book their place in the knockout stages of the competition. Bath meanwhile lost 47-21 at Leinster, meaning they have dropped down into the Challenge Cup knockout stages in April will they will take on Pau in the last 16 of that competition. They are currently six points clear at the summit of the Premiership and could extend that lead this afternoon.

With England’s preparations for the upcoming Six Nations ramping up, none of those named in Steve Borthwick’s squad are involved. Sale are without eight players on England duty; Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Ben Curry, Tom Curry, Raffi Quirke, George Ford and Tom Roebuck. Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson has been speaking ahead of the match about the challenge of all the internationals being away.

“With so many of the lads away, it has been a challenging week to say the least, but it is one I really hope we have to repeat because I want these guys to play for their country. Everyone knows that we had seven lads called up initially to the England squad, then Raffi [Quirke] was added to that and with [Arron] Reedy called into the Scotland squad and WillGriff John receiving a well-deserved call-up to the Wales squad, we had a couple of absentees there that we did not expect to have to manage. It is amazing for the lads, and I am genuinely so happy for them, but it has thrown a few curveballs in for the coaches.

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson looks on before their game against Toulon
Sale could move up into fifth with a bonus-point win today - Jan Kruger/Getty Images

“I wear two hats in weeks like this. First and foremost it is what is best for the club and clearly that is to have all our best players available as much as possible. The other hat is looking after what is best for the person and the player. I want them to strive to be the best people and players they can be and that means playing international rugby. It is a tricky balance for every club but my overarching feeling is one of pride that we are providing more players to the England squad than any other Gallagher Premiership club. That tells me that we are doing something right here.”

Bath are without Ollie Lawrence, Will Stuart, Ted Hill and Ben Spencer, who are in England camp. The visitors do have Finn Russell available though, despite being in training with Scotland earlier this week as this match does not fall in the international window. These two sides met in the final round before the November internationals, with Bath running out 40-13 winners. These teams also met in the Premiership semi-final last June, with Bath winning 31-23 to book their place in the final. In this fixture last season, Sale beat Bath 11-9 back in November 2023.

Kick-off in Salford is at 3pm.