Newcastle Falcons vs Sale Sharks Match-Day Programme

IN OPPOSITION
Sale Sharks
NICKNAME
Sharks
FOUNDED
1861
HOME GROUND
Salford Community Stadium
DIRECTOR OF RUGBY
Alex Sanderson
CAPTAIN
Ben Curry
Sale Sharks came into this weekend’s round of matches
placed sixth in the Gallagher Premiership standings following
last Sunday’s 37-31 home win against Harlequins.
Newcastle and northern rivals Sale have already met three
times this season, with the Falcons winning two and taking a
four-try bonus point from the other.
The Tynesiders enjoyed a 23-10 Premiership Rugby Cup victory
at Kingston Park with the help of a sensational solo try from
Adam Radwan, and the Gallagher Premiership meeting in
Salford in November saw the Falcons scoring four tries in a
40-22 loss which was right in the balance until the last few
minutes.
An early-March ‘friendly’ at Sale saw Newcastle edging a
31-28 thriller in Steve Diamond’s first game in charge, with the
Falcons’ consultant director of rugby a long-time player, coach
and even CEO of the North-West outfit.
Current director of rugby Alex Sanderson steered the Sharks
into last season’s Premiership final, with his summer transfer
dealings seeing a relatively low-key influx.
England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie arrived from Exeter Chiefs,
with fellow No.2 and Argentina legend Agustin Creevy also
signing up. Ernst van Rhyn added back-row ballast after landing
from the Stormers in South Africa, and ex-Leicester full-back
Telusa Veainu joined from Stade Francais.
Departures included Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman
(Edinburgh), front-rowers Akker van der Merwe (Bulls) and
Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks) and fly-half Kieran Wilkinson, while
a host of retirements saw Will Cliff, Byron McGuigan, Jono Ross,
Ryan Mills and Dom Barrow among those calling time on their