Friday 17th September 2010
Kick Off 19:45
Harlequins
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Rugby
Sale Sharks are one of the leading professional rugby union clubs in Europe and the pride of the North West. Historically based in the Manchester suburb of Sale but now playing out of Edgeley Park in Stockport, the Sharks compete in the Guinness Premiership alongside the likes of Leicester Tigers, London Wasps and Harlequins.
Success
Since the game of Rugby Union turned professional in the mid 1990s, the Sharks have arguably been the archetypal success story, rising from the lower ranks to become a multiple trophy winner in the new Millennium.
The Sharks have won two European Challenge Cup titles in 2002 and 2005 but the highlight remains their 2006 Premiership title, secured with a thumping 45-20 win over Leicester Tigers.
The 2010-2011 season is a "New Start" for the club under Head Coach Mike Brewer, with some exciting new signings who are proven in Southern Hemipshere rugby brought in to play alongside the already established star players at Edgeley Park.
Star attractions
As one of the leading sides in Europe, the Sharks boast a star-studded squad that includes internationals from all over the world. To pick out just a few, from England there are Mathew Tait, Mark Cueto, Charlie Hodgson and Andrew Sheridan; from Wales Dwayne Peel. Giant Fijian number 8 Sisa Koyamaibole made an impact in his first season as leading tryscorer. Not all our stars are that experienced: James Gaskell burst onto the scene aged just 19 until injury cut short his season. James captured three awards at the club's End-of-Season Dinner.
The Sale colours have also been proudly worn in the past by stars such as Jason Robinson, Fran Cotton, Steve Smith, Steve Hanley, Bryan Redpath, Luke McAlister, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Sebastien Chabal.
The club has also had many British Lions representatives. In the current squad Dwayne Peel, Charlie Hodgson, Ben Cohen, Andrew Sheridan and Mark Cueto have been past Lions. Injury prevented scrummaging titan Sheridan from joining his colleagues on England's 'Down Under' tour of Summer 2010, but he was back after ten months, returning in the pre-season game against ASM Clermont Auvergne.
The Summer of 2010 saw changes under new Head Coach Mike Brewer and new Chief Executive Mick Hogan. Players arriving for the new campaign included Paul Williams (Auckland), Mikaele Pesamino (Auckland), Aston Croall (Harlequins), Kyle Tonetti (Leinster), Rob Miller (Newcastle Falcons), Karen Wihongi (Bourgoin), Wame Lewaravu (Parma), Iain Thornley (Wigan Warriors), Nic Rouse (Nottingham), Chris Brightwell (Birmingham/Solihull) and Mike Petri (USA).
