Saint-Andre pleased with duo's recovery

Sale boss Philippe Saint-Andre hailed his medical staff after Mark Cueto and Jason Robinson were passed fit for tomorrow’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Biarritz.

The England pair, who have been named on the wings with Daniel Larrechea lining up at full-back, failed to finish last Saturday’s 29-21 victory over London Irish.

Cueto was rated a major doubt for the clash at the Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian after twisting his ankle, while Robinson’s chances were rated 50-50 after the club captain took a knock to his hip.

But they have been given the green light in what is a major lift for the Sharks as they prepare to meet a team Saint-Andre has described as the best in Europe.

“This is the first time in the club’s history that we have made the Heineken Cup quarter-finals and we intend to give it our best shot,” he said.

“We do have some key players missing and it will be very tough against the side who I believe are favourites to win this competition.

“But I must pay tribute to my backroom staff, who have worked around the clock to get the players ready to play.

“The squad have been in good spirits all week and were buoyed by our victory at London Irish.”

Yet Sale’s chances of dispatching Biarritz, who have reached the semi-finals for the past two seasons, have been hit by the loss of Sebastien Chabal and Andrew Sheridan.

French number eight Chabal is nearing the end of his five-week ban for stamping on Lawrence Dallaglio and for spitting during a recent Guinness Premiership match.

An equally substantial loss is Sheridan, the giant England prop who sustained a prolapsed disc in the build-up to the final Six Nations showdown against Ireland.

According to a furious Saint-Andre, his injury was mis-diagnosed by England’s medical team and Sheridan was allowed to play, an error he feels may have ended his season and could force him under the surgeon’s knife.

“This is devastating news for Sherri as he is desperate to play his part in our push for honours as the season draws to a close,” said Saint-Andre.

“We are 100% behind him and very much hope the rest will allow the injury to heal naturally so he can return for the final few games of the season.

“It is very disappointing that the injury was not scanned at the time it happened when he was training with England, as if he had not played against Ireland the damage may not have been so bad.

“My medical team tell me that he simply shouldn’t have played against the Irish.”

Biarritz skipper Thomas Lievremont believes Saint-Andre’s inside knowledge of the French league will assist Sale.

“As far as Philippe Saint-Andre is concerned, we know that a Frenchman at the helm may change things slightly,” he said.

“He knows the Top 14 and all the clubs in it so I’m sure he’ll be able to give his team a far better insight into Biarritz than we can have in his team.”

The Rugby Football Union reacted to Sale’s concerns over Sheridan by claiming he was “comprehensively examined by the England medical team on a number of occasions” during Ireland Test week.

“Neither the England medical staff nor the player identified any significant medical concerns that warranted further investigation or precluded him from playing against Ireland,” said the RFU, in a statement.

“Andrew took a full part in the game until he was withdrawn with 11 minutes to go for tactical reasons and not because of injury.

“Andrew was medically reviewed and released to go back to his club the day after the Test match.

“The England medical team has liaised regularly with the Sale Sharks medical staff, and are working closely with them following the subsequent diagnosis of a prolapsed disc on his treatment and rehabilitation.”

England U21 fly-half Toby Flood steered Newcastle into the European Challenge Cup semi-finals on a wet and dismal evening at Kingston Park.

Flood kicked three penalties and two conversions and scored a crucial try as the Falcons beat Connacht 23-3.