TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
Jonathan Keep announces the squad as they face another away trip down south, this time heading to Cambridge.
Cambridge currently sit 9th on 58 points whilst Sale sit at 11th, 5 points adrift. A comfortable win would see Sale shift up the table, potentially replacing Cambridge at 9th depending on Point Difference.
SATURDAY 8th FEB
2pm | Volac Park | Cambridge
Catch Up
Plymouth Albion Match Report & Highlights
Cambridge lost last week to a strong Rosslyn Park. 50-14, report here
This week we hear from DOR Jonathan Keep, Club President James Hourihan as well as Tom Brady. They provide thoughts ahead of Cambridge, with Tom giving an update and player’s perspective as he returns to the squad.
Keepy
“It was good to get back to winning ways last weekend against Plymouth, where the lads showed some real fight to grind out the win, winning by one point. But, it was the five points that was much needed to elevate our position in the league a little bit.
The main focus this week for the squad is to be as consistent away from home as we have been at home this season. We have to make sure we bring the same intensity and focus to our fixture this weekend down in Cambridge, and really try to bring the best out of ourselves to get the win.
It’s never an easy challenge going away from home, but we have to get our mindset right”
The forwards feature minimal change as Nick Gray falls injured during the week, he is replaced by game changer Stone Priestley-Nangle who has impressed off the bench recently. Jake Pope, Dan Matthews and Ryan Parkinson accompany the bench, eager to continue their influence.
Some rotational changes in the backs as Fergus Mulchrone and Tom Brady return from injury, with Mulchrone starting at 15 and Brady on the bench, joined by Emiliano Calle Rivas who has impressed with his dancing feet in recent weeks. The centres remain the same in Patrick Ah Van and Johnny Leota who have been lethal in attack and defence, worrying teams in recent fixtures with Cambridge no different.
James
“Our first ever game in National 1 was in Cambridge. First half we blew them away and the second half they blew us away! It’s always a difficult place to go, hopefully we can continue our great form from last weekend where the defence have fronted up with some great performances. Hopefully the conditions suit our lads.
It’s good to see we have 3 old boys from our 2006/07 team playing this weekend as well”
You can find a bit more about this below in ‘Team News’
Team News
Tom Brady
“It’s great to be back in the squad after a few weeks out with a little hamstring injury.
Frustrating as it was the first game back in the new year, I was wanting to start the second half of the season well. But, I’ve been really looked after by Rob (physio) and Princess Anne (Physio), some good game time this weekend off the bench should sharpen me up again.
With regards to the game; we’ve had just two wins all season away from home and they were against bottom sides. We haven’t showed a good enough form or mentality when travelling for one reason or another. Frustratingly, we haven’t been able to work out why that’s the case.
With the ability in the squad, we should be much further up the table. We are going to play well and be fully committed, with that we will win and create some momentum, which we have struggled for all season.
Their pitch is meant to be in good shape which will suit us and the way we want to play, so hopefully it’s a great game for those travelling to watch”
3 players feature in this week’s squad from 2006/07!
We see a reintroduction of Ryan Parkinson as he returns from injury, featuring in his first fixture this season. Jack Moorhouse and returning from injury Fergus Mulchrone join also, complementing the Sale Family well. We hope to see some quality from these guys as I’m sure they’re keen to make an impact!
Standings
