ManchesterOnline http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ Rugby union news from ManchesterOnline en-gb ManchesterOnline http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/img/small_logo.gif http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ webmaster@gmgrd.co.uk Scrum like it hot at SharksSALE Sharks' biggest battle this season could lie within the Edgeley Park dressing room.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1059414_scrum_like_it_hot_at_sharks?rss=yes?rss=yesStan the man has seen it all LIFE at Sale Sharks won't quite be the same ever again following the news that legendary winger Steve Hanley is to retire through injury.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1058898_stan_the_man_has_seen_it_all_?rss=yes?rss=yesAussies' World Cup poserTHE Australian Rugby Union is considering bidding for the 2019 World Cup - despite the massive asking price to host the tournament.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1058072_aussies_world_cup_poser?rss=yes?rss=yesSharks' French challengeSALE Sharks have finalised their pre-season warm-up games ahead of the start of the Guinness Premiership.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/sale_sharks/s/1057099_sharks_french_challenge?rss=yes?rss=yesSharks fixtures released

NEW signing Mathew Tait will kick off the new season for Sale Sharks against his former club Newcastle Falcons.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1056858_sharks_fixtures_released?rss=yes?rss=yesSharks snap up new dealSALE Sharks have been boosted by a new sponsorship deal with MEN Media.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1056861_sharks_snap_up_new_deal?rss=yes?rss=yesJohnson shuffles squadSALE duo Charlie Hodgson and Richard Wigglesworth have paid the price for lackustre performances against New Zealand after Martin Johnson dropped them out of the England squad.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1056212_johnson_shuffles_squad?rss=yes?rss=yesClinical All Blacks sink EnglandSTEVE Borthwick believes England were given a lesson in clinical finishing after the 44-12 defeat to New Zealand.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1055105_clinical_all_blacks_sink_england?rss=yes?rss=yesJones eyes big chance

SALE forward Chris Jones is hoping that a successful Saxons display could lead to a full England recall as he prepares to face Scotland A in Chicago for the Barclays Churchill Cup on Saturday.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1055007_jones_eyes_big_chance?rss=yes?rss=yesSale's Munster fright

PHILIPPE Saint-Andre is relishing this season's Heineken Cup challenge - despite being drawn in the same group as reigning champions Munster.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1054485_sales_munster_fright?rss=yes?rss=yesSale handed tough Euro drawSALE Sharks face the daunting prospect of facing European champions Munster and two French teams in the group stages of next season's Heineken Cup.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1054340_sale_handed_tough_euro_draw?rss=yes?rss=yesSale duo droppedSALE duo Charlie Hodgson and Richard Wigglesworth have been dropped for England's second Test against New Zealand as part of wholesale changes to the back division, but Sharks-bound Matthew Tait is back in.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1054297_sale_duo_dropped?rss=yes?rss=yesSheridan out of second TestANDREW Sheridan has been ruled out of England’s second Test against New Zealand on Saturday.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1054184_sheridan_out_of_second_test?rss=yes?rss=yesNew Zealand 37 England 20ENGLAND captain Steve Borthwick admitted after his side's 37-20 defeat to New Zealand that they had to cut out the errors if they were going to compete against the All Blacks.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1054050_new_zealand_37_england_20?rss=yes?rss=yesHodgson relishing England chanceSALE Sharks fly-half Charlie Hodgson will start his first Test for England in 19 months determined to grasp a "massive opportunity" he feared may never come around again.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1053969_hodgson_relishing_england_chance?rss=yes?rss=yesSharks trio to face All BlacksSALE Sharks will have a trio of stars in the England side to face New Zealand this weekend in Auckland.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1053342_sharks_trio_to_face_all_blacks?rss=yes?rss=yesEaster out of All Blacks tourNICK Easter has been ruled out of England's Test tour of New Zealand after suffering a fracture to his right hand.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1053092_easter_out_of_all_blacks_tour?rss=yes?rss=yesJones plays as Saxons win

SALE Sharks forward Chris Jones helped England Saxons open their Barclays Churchill Cup campaign with a convincing 64-10 win over the USA in Ottawa.

Bath’s Matt Banahan helped himself to a hat-trick as the Saxons overcame a slow start to run in eight tries.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1053062_jones_plays_as_saxons_win?rss=yes?rss=yesPut your shirt on SharksYOU won't be able to miss Sale Sharks in their new kit.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1052274_put_your_shirt_on_sharks?rss=yes?rss=yesRussians look to Diamond's edgeSALE legend Steve Diamond is being targeted by Russian rugby authorities for a senior coaching role.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1052053_russians_look_to_diamonds_edge?rss=yes?rss=yesCueto's welcome breakMARK Cueto is hoping that a long-awaited summer break will help put his injury problems behind him once and for all.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/sale_sharks/s/1051758_cuetos_welcome_break?rss=yes?rss=yesSharks told to put bad times behind them

SALE Sharks will be making the most of their break after being warned by management that a tough pre-season awaits them on their return.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1050925_sharks_told_to_put_bad_times_behind_them?rss=yes?rss=yesSharks snap up DohertySALE Sharks have announced the signing of wing David Doherty from their Guinness Premiership rivals Wasps.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1049531_sharks_snap_up_doherty?rss=yes?rss=yesJohnson names England squadA TRIO of Sale Sharks stars have been named in Martin Johnson's England squad for the New Zealand tour next month.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1049349_johnson_names_england_squad?rss=yes?rss=yesSharks face cup troubleSALE Sharks may have secured their place in next season's Heineken Cup - but they face being drawn in a tough group if their current lowly ranking is anything to go by.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1049449_sharks_face_cup_trouble?rss=yes?rss=yesSale 7 London Irish 17SALE director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre admitted his side simply failed to turn up after they lost at home to London Irish to surrender a Guinness Premiership play-off berth.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1049132_sale_7_london_irish_17?rss=yes?rss=yesSharks brush-off for ChambersSALE Sharks have turned down an offer to take rugby league reject Dwain Chambers on trial.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1048990_sharks_brushoff_for_chambers?rss=yes?rss=yesVilk enjoys life at the sharp end

ENGLAND Sevens skipper Andy Vilk finally got a taste of 15-a-side rugby with Sale Sharks in Sunday's dramatic win over Harlequins - and now he is hungry for more.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1048824_vilk_enjoys_life_at_the_sharp_end_?rss=yes?rss=yesSale sign Tigers forwardSALE Sharks have signed promising back row forward Luke Abraham from Leicester Tigers as they continue to build their squad for next season.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1048436_sale_sign_tigers_forward?rss=yes?rss=yesSale's fourth bridge

SALE Sharks are just 80 minutes away from a place in the Premiership play-offs.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1048381_sales_fourth_bridge?rss=yes?rss=yesArtful dodger Tait fits the billBY capturing England star Mathew Tait, Sale Sharks have more than shored up the gaping hole left by Ben Foden's imminent move to Northampton.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1048256_artful_dodger_tait_fits_the_bill?rss=yes?rss=yesHarlequins 16 Sale 23ANDY Vilk was the surprise hero for Sale as they kept their Premiership play-off hopes firmly in the supercharged melting pot and guaranteed Heineken Cup rugby next season.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1048252_harlequins_16_sale_23?rss=yes?rss=yesHodgson scoops award

CHARLIE Hodgson has been named Sale Sharks' player of the year after battling back for a second time from a career-threatening injury.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1048158_hodgson_scoops_award?rss=yes?rss=yesSharks tonic

SALE Sharks have been handed a double boost ahead of Sunday's crucial Guinness Premiership clash against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1048118_sharks_tonic?rss=yes?rss=yesLund's French connectionENGLAND'S loss could be France's gain as far as Sale Sharks star Magnus Lund is concerned.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1047861_lunds_french_connection?rss=yes?rss=yesQuin with a shoutRICHARD Wigglesworth insists Sale Sharks can bounce back from their bruising encounter at Bath and clinch a Guinness Premiership play-off place.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1047399_quin_with_a_shout?rss=yes?rss=yesStoop to it, SharksPHILIPPE Saint-Andre may have known more miserable weekends in his time as Sale Sharks' director of rugby, but right now it's hard to think of one.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1047256_stoop_to_it_sharks?rss=yes?rss=yesBath 36 Sale 14AN injury hit Sale side saw their European Challenge Cup hopes dashed by Bath.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1047154_bath_36_sale_14?rss=yes?rss=yesCliff on brink of breakthrough

YOUNG scrum-half Will Cliff is making good progress in his bid to claim the Sharks No 9 shirt.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1047107_cliff_on_brink_of_breakthrough?rss=yes?rss=yesSharks' safety blanketPHILIPPE Saint-Andre has set Sale Sharks the target of winning a third European Challenge Cup crown in order to secure their place in next season's Heineken Cup.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_union/s/1046782_sharks_safety_blanket?rss=yes?rss=yes