Can Sale recover after season of strife?

Over the past three seasons, Sale Sharks had firmly established themselves as the leading force in northern English club rugby, consistently performing at a high level and competing with the best teams in the Premiership. However, the 2025–26 campaign has proven to be a stark contrast, leaving the club struggling and forcing a reassessment of its foundations.

Director of rugby Alex Sanderson openly admitted that this season had been the most demanding of his career, describing it as the longest, toughest, and most challenging period he has experienced in the sport. His comments reflect the extent of the difficulties faced by the team throughout the campaign.

Sale ultimately finished seventh in the Premiership standings, a significant drop compared to their recent performances. They managed to secure only five wins out of 18 matches, leaving them 27 points behind the play-off positions. This disappointing record highlights just how far the team has fallen from its previous standards.

One of the most striking aspects of their season was the lack of consistency. Sale failed to achieve consecutive league victories at any point during the campaign, and their struggles on the road were particularly evident, with just one away win all season. This lack of momentum and inability to build on positive results played a major role in their decline.

The contrast with previous seasons is clear. Since Sanderson took over as director of rugby in early 2021, the club had been steadily improving. Sale reached the Premiership final in 2023, where they were defeated by Saracens at Twickenham, and followed that with semi-final appearances in both 2024 and 2025.

During that period, Sale were one of the most consistent teams in the league. They were the only side to finish in the top four in each of those three seasons, and their 38 regular-season victories were more than any other club. While they were unable to secure another title to add to their 2006 triumph, they had firmly established themselves among the elite teams.

Given this recent success, the sudden downturn raises an important question: is this the beginning of a long-term decline, or simply a temporary setback?

The season began with promise, as Sale won two of their opening three matches, suggesting they might continue their strong form. However, things quickly began to unravel. A heavy 65-14 defeat away to Saracens in October marked a turning point. In that match, teenage winger Noah Caluori made headlines by scoring five tries on his first Premiership start, exposing defensive weaknesses in the Sale lineup.

A narrow 27-26 home defeat to Exeter Chiefs in November further highlighted the team’s struggles. Sale had built a commanding 20-point lead early in the second half but were unable to hold on, ultimately suffering their first home loss of the season. This collapse raised concerns about the team’s ability to manage games and maintain composure under pressure.

Traditionally, Sale had been strong at their home ground, the CorpAcq Stadium, but this season saw a reversal of that trend. They lost more matches at home than they won, a factor that significantly contributed to their poor overall performance. A defeat to Northampton Saints in January effectively ended their hopes of finishing in the top four, with several games still remaining.

The challenges continued into 2026, where Sale suffered some of the heaviest defeats in their history. A 77-7 loss to French powerhouse Toulouse in the Champions Cup was followed by an 85-19 defeat at home to Saracens. Incredibly, Caluori once again played a starring role, adding another five tries to his tally against Sale.

Despite these setbacks, there were occasional positives. A victory away to Harlequins shortly after the Saracens defeat provided some relief and secured Sale’s place in the top eight, ensuring qualification for next season’s Champions Cup. However, this proved to be their only away win in the Premiership.

In the closing stages of the season, Sale continued to struggle, losing matches to Gloucester and Newcastle Red Bulls—teams that ultimately finished below them in the table. These results highlighted a loss of the resilience and winning mentality that had defined the team in previous years.

Injuries played a significant role in Sale’s difficult season. Several key players, particularly those involved with the England national team, spent extended periods sidelined. Among those affected were twins Tom and Ben Curry, winger Tom Roebuck, and forward Asher Opoku-Fjordjour. Later in the season, front-row players Bevan Rodd and Luke Cowan-Dickie also missed crucial matches.

The coaching setup was also disrupted. Head coach Marco Bortolami left the club in December after just six months in the role, while defence coach Byron McGuigan departed in March after taking on additional responsibilities with England. These changes added further instability during an already challenging campaign.

Despite the setbacks, Sanderson remains optimistic about the future. He emphasized that difficult periods can reveal the true character of a team, highlighting the importance of leadership and resilience during adversity. According to Sanderson, younger players were given opportunities to step up, and the experience gained during this tough season could prove valuable in the long term.

He also expressed gratitude for the lessons learned, even if they came in difficult circumstances. Sanderson believes that these experiences will ultimately strengthen the team and help them build a more successful future.

Looking ahead, Sale have taken steps to reinforce their squad. The club has signed several experienced international players, including England stars Courtney Lawes, Joe Marchant, and Alex Lozowski, as well as Welsh forwards Nicky Smith and Tomas Francis. These additions are expected to bring valuable experience and provide support for the club’s emerging talent.

There is also reason for optimism when considering the broader context of the Premiership. Several of this season’s top teams have experienced similar downturns in recent years before bouncing back strongly. Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs, for example, were outside the top eight just a year ago, while Leicester Tigers and Bath have also recovered from difficult periods.

Sanderson believes that hitting a low point can be a catalyst for growth and improvement. He suggested that experiencing failure can drive meaningful change and create a stronger foundation for future success.

Ultimately, while the 2025–26 season has been disappointing for Sale Sharks, it may also serve as a turning point. The challenges faced have exposed weaknesses but also provided valuable lessons. If the club can learn from these experiences and build on them, there is every chance that they can return to competing at the highest level.

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