With the Allianz Premiership 15 season fast approaching and international players returning home after the WVX, Sale Sharks will be hoping that they can get back on track after a rough few matches in the Allianz Cup.
The Sharks will kick off their season facing their recent opponents, Bristol Bears. After a 7-50 defeat at home, Sharks will be hoping that this clash is much tighter as they aim to start the season with a win.
𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 | 🦈 07-50 🐻
Hard and difficult shift today at Heywood Road.
Credit to the visitors @BristolBearsW who showed dominance in all areas of the field today 👏. #SALvBRI | #SharkTime pic.twitter.com/7GnyJ7aows
— Sale Sharks Women (@SaleSharksWomen) October 28, 2023
However, with five of the women back from collecting their caps halfway across the world in the WVX the team will get the extra lift they need at the start to the season.
Morale will be boosted upon their return, as each of the internationals have thrived on the international stage. Red Roses, Morwenna Talling, still has one to play and will start at six for the English side in their last match against biggest rivals Black Ferns.
A win or draw will see England win the tournament and propel them back to first in the world rankings ready for a 2025 World Cup.
𝙇𝙀𝙏’𝙎 𝙂𝙊 𝙈𝙊𝙕𝙕 🔥
Our Red Rose @MorwennaTalling has been named in the starting XV for @England rugby’s clash against Canada 🇨🇦.
#SharksAreCircling🦈 pic.twitter.com/om49hlko3e— Sale Sharks Women (@SaleSharksWomen) October 24, 2023
Rachel McLachlan and Anne Younge are already back in training after a successful campaign with Scotland’s team as they took home the WVX2 trophy.
The Scots had to take on Italian Sharks teammates, Beatrice Rigoni and Sara Tounesi, and America’s Katana Howard and Catie Benson, to secure the win.
Nine new signings have been made over the summer, including some of the stars that have been collecting their caps in the last few weeks. April Ishida, Jasmine Hazell, India Perris-Redding, Molly Kelly, Amber Schonert, Jo Bown and Nikita Prothero have all joined Sharks in preparation for the season ahead.
The team can set their aspirations higher than last season’s seventh place finish and prove that they deserve a spot in the league instead of being issued with a conditional offer to join the Allianz Premier, like they were this 23/24 season.