Friday 19th March 2010
Kick Off 19:45
London Wasps
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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, 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.
Last season the Sharks finished a solid fifth in the league, maintaining their impressive consistency. However it unfortunately left them just outside the play-offs.
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 is Mathew Tait, Mark Cueto and Andrew Sheridan; from Wales Dwayne Peel and Brent Cockbain and from Spain Oriol Ripol.
The Sale colours have also been proudly worn in the past by stars such as Jason Robinson, Fran Cotton, Steve Hanley, Brian Redpath, Luke McAlister and Sebastien Chabal.
The club has also had many British Lions representatives. In the current squad Dwayne Peel and Mark Cueto have been past Lions, while Sharks scrummaging titan Andrew Sheridan has been selected for the 2009 tour of South Africa.
