The trip to Sale Sharks was never going to be an easy assignment despite the welcome return of some big players and the happy vibes emanating from the historic victory over South Africa.
As it was there were plenty of positives to bring back, not least a point, but there’s no hiding from the fact that we have lost six Premiership matches in a row which makes next Saturday’s fixture against Leicester nothing less than a must-win before the challenge of Europe.
When the thing you are hoping for is not to be "bottom at Christmas" then it doesn’t take a genius to work out that so far it’s been another poor campaign, however many times the rose-tinted spectacles are employed. But employ them I will!
First, it was great to see Steven Luatua gracing the Premiership stage again. He made a huge difference on Saturday and you could just sense how his quiet authority lifted others. If we are to salvage anything this year he must stay fit.
Secondly, we did at least start to look like a top-six side again. Sale were aggressive and well organised but we generally matched their physicality, showed more endeavour to play proper rugby and made a decent effort to counter their passion-killing and space-denying blitz defence. The first-half try that came from a pod of backs folding round the blind side, straightening and popping to their hearts content, was a thing of rugby beauty. Sale on the other hand, scored from an up and under.
Finally, we have definitely started to develop a more pragmatic game plan by exploring ways to maintain possession and territory so that we can play in more dangerous areas. Sadly we weren’t able to execute it enough to get the win but the intent was there and on another day it would have been the Sharks’ fans rueing the missed opportunity.
However, those days need to come fast and it starts next week. With the internationals back and, whisper it quietly, maybe Semi returning, nothing less than a big performance and at least four points is required. That said, Tigers will bring a fearsome pack and some simmering Genge-related fire in their belly so I fully expect to see some fireworks, but hopefully not off the Dolman. Up the Bears!
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