Sharks ready to launch fresh attack on Premiership title

FEW members of the British & Irish Lions squad returned from New Zealand with their reputations enhanced after the 3-0 whitewashing at the hands of the All Blacks.

With the exceptions of Ryan Jones and Simon Easterby, it seems the best way for a Lions player to maintain his reputation was to have as little to do with the Test series as possible.

With this in mind, Sale Sharks fans have more reason than most to be happy with their lot. After an up and down season with England, some felt Charlie Hodgson was fortunate to make the original tour party, and while not featuring in any of the Test matches, the Sharks fly-half excelled in the midweek victories over Taranaki, Otago, Manawatu and Auckland.

Out of the four fly-halves on tour, Hodgson was the only one to return in credit, and the 24-year-old hopes to carry his form into the new Guinness Premiership season with the Sharks.

“I can take confidence from the form I showed over the summer and how things have gone in pre-season,” Hodgson said.

Sale flattered to deceive last season in the Premiership. Having started the season impressively, the Sharks’ lack of strength in depth was cruelly exposed during the autumn international period, when they failed to win a match.

After recruiting Epi Taione from Newcastle Falcons and Mark Taylor from Llanelli, Hodgson is confident the Sharks now have the firepower for a sustained assault on the Premiership.

“We showed when we were out in France on pre-season, beating Perpignan and Castres with 10 players out through injury or resting after Lions duty, that we have more strength in depth now,” he added.

With Sale owner Brian Kennedy insisting on his Lions contingent starting the season, Hodgson admits he has reservations about the number of matches he will be expected to play.

“You try not to think about it (the length of the season) too much, it’s just about getting to Christmas and then having another look,” he said.

“It is hard work with the amount of games but hopefully I’ll get a rest at some point.”

Sale’s first Premiership assignment of the season is against Newcastle at Edgeley Park - a match which sees Hodgson go head to head with England counterpart Jonny Wilkinson.

But Hodgson is keen to look at it as just another game, adding: “Obviously comparisons are going to be made between us and I’ve always said if I can keep contesting for the (England) jersey and pushing Jonny then I’ll be happy.”

Tomorrow, Twickenham hosts a double-header, which will see champions London Wasps take on Saracens, while Leeds Tykes face London Irish. Saracens’ former Wigan star Andy Farrell is unable to make his rugby union debut because of a toe injury, while Ian McGeechan takes charge of Wasps for the first time.

Leeds Tykes fans, returning to Twickenham for the first time since last season’s Powergen Cup triumph, will have their first chance to catch a glimpse of former All Black scrum-half Justin Marshall in action.

Leicester Tigers, minus retired internationals Martin Johnson and Neil Back, take on Northampton Saints at Welford Road, with the visitors boasting the mercurial talents of an another former All Black half back - Carlos Spencer.

Sunday will see two bruising west country derbies, with newly-promoted Bristol hosting arch rivals Bath, while last season’s surprise package Worcester Warriors take on Gloucester at Sixways.