After their worst league finish in years, Alex Sanderson’s side will be aiming to return to the play-offs.
Sale Sharks made a late exit from last season’s Champions Cup qualifiers, suffering the worst Gallagher PREM position for seven years. However, there have been big changes at the CorpAcq Stadium since then, with 15 departures and the arrival of some big names – including Courtney Lawes, who will be in contention for an England return after completing his spell in France. Can Alex Sanderson’s men get back into play-off contention?
The world of rugby reviews each Gallagher PREM the team’s chances – as well as those of the 16 URC side – before the start of the new season on Friday 25 September.
Sale Sharks discussions
It took Sale until June to earn a place in the Champions Cup, their lowest position in seven years. We predicted it would reach the finals!
Among several dire defeats on the road, a second-half collapse at Newcastle – who led 35-10 at half-time – took the cake. It left DoR Alex Sanderson speechless with anger and frustration.
Sanderson called this campaign “a year of transition” and it shows with the departure of 15 players and some eye-catching signings. Courtney Lawes is the biggest of them all, but there’s also a trio of Welsh forwards, the exciting talents of the Kiwis and South Africa and some Fijian brio. It will be strange to see a Sale side without either of the du Preez brothers.
“It’s been a year where I know we’re going to be better moving forward,” Sanderson says. He’s worked his magic before and he can do it again.
A key player
With 66 Test caps, Nicky Smith brings plenty of experience alongside his obvious qualities as a loose head prop. A consistent and aggressive scrummager, he is mobile around the park and loves jackal changes. His bench press of 200 kg marks him as a man of exceptional strength.
Smith turned down a deal in Leicester to head north. At 32, he believes his best years are still ahead of him.
New arrival Xavier Roe could make a big impact from scrum-half (Jan Kruger/Getty Images for Sale Sharks)
One to watch
Expect good things from the new no. 9 by Xavier Roe. The 27-year-old has helped the Chiefs reach multiple Super Rugby finals and played for the All Blacks XV on their 2025 tour.
He has a strong pass, a good game and has received praise for his decisions. He will battle Gus Warr for the semi-shirt.
Trainer box
The disruption caused by the departures of head coach Marco Bortalami and defensive guru Byron McGuigan last term contributed to Sale’s poor results. Sanderson leads a more modern unit that includes Joe Ford (attack), Dorian West (forward) and Mike Forshaw (defence) – the latter spent ten years at Sale before leaving to work for Wales in 2023.
Sale Sharks 2026-27 Prediction
With so many changes, there can be an addition process. But progress is in sight. He could finish fifth.
Sale Sharks 2026-27 quotas
22-1
Vital statistics
Sale conceded 602 points in the PREM last season – an average of 33 per game. Saracens scored 150 of those!
Can Courtney Lawes be forced back to England after returning from France? (Jan Kruger/Getty Images for Sale Sharks)
Sale Sharks signings
- Courtney Lawes (Brive)
- Joe Marchant (Stade Français)
- Nicky Smith (Leicester)
- Thomas Francis (Provence)
- Alex Lozowski (Saracens)
- Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs)
- Cebo Dlamini (Griquas)
- Xavier Roe (Chiefs)
- JJ Scheepers (Cougars)
- Elia Canakaivata (Drua)
- Ponipati Loganimasi (Drua)
- David Opoku-Fordjour (Coventry)
Sale Sharks ddepartures
- Raffi Quirke (Newcastle Red Bulls)
- Obi Ene (Newcastle Red Bulls)
- James Harper (Newcastle Red Bulls)
- Dan du Preez (bath)
- Rob du Preez (Bayonne)
- Hyron Andrews (Lions)
- Willgriff John (released)
- New Thomas (published)
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