Bath Battle Sale at the AJ Bell

2020-21 semi-finalists Sale Sharks will kick off their campaign against Bath at the AJ Bell in the penultimate game of Round 1. 

Sale enjoyed a strong campaign in the previous instalment of the competition while Bath never really seemed to find their rhythm, finishing up 7th on the table while Sale missed out on the Premiership final by losing out to Exeter in the semis.  

The sides faced each other twice last season in two close encounters with each one taking a victory away from home. The first match up took place at the AJ Bell:  

Sale then got their own back in the return fixture, doing enough for a 4-point victory at The Rec. 

Bath boss Stuart Hooper said: 

“There’s huge excitement heading into the game. Last season we didn’t really have a break; the lads had a week or two off and then they were back into it in front of no supporters. To start the season with a big challenge up at Sale in front of supporters is hugely exciting and we can’t wait to get going. We have to go out and take a step forward against them; go out and play the game how we want to play the game.”  

Sale Sharks Director of Rugby, Alex Sanderson, said his charges have been putting in the hard yards. 

“We wanted to make the place more robust so we are able to train harder in the weeks during the season to be able to improve the skill set as well as the game management and the ability to sustain performance,” he said.  

“Not just outworking teams but outperforming teams over the 80 minutes and the base for that is something you lay down in the pre-season.” 

SALE TEAM:

BATH TEAM: