Sanderson hopes to be vindicated for selection call in Toulouse blowout

Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson stands by the controversial selection that led to a 70-point thumping by Toulouse, but admits he has put “most of our eggs in this basket” by focusing on their must-win clash with Northampton Saints this Saturday to keep alive any hopes of making the Gallagher PREM play-offs.

Sanderson admits the extent of the 11-try defeat could have a long-term impact on some of the young players who were beaten 77-7 by Toulouse in the Investec Champions Cup clash in France, with Sharks having already clinched a last 16 place before kick-off. Sharks have ended up with a manageable away game with Harlequins in the knockout stage, and he accepts the club could face a backlash if they now fail to knock over Northampton, having rested so many key players.

Sanderson will have George Ford, Raffi Quirke, who is off to Newcastle next season, Joe Carpenter, Ben and Tom Curry, Ernst van Rhyn and Ben Bamber in the selection mix against Saints, who beat the Sharks 47-21 in December.

Sanderson said: “Looking at the bigger picture, which is getting through to the last 16 in one of the hardest groups, a favourable draw from that and ensuring that we have our best players available (for Northampton) – eight of those lads are fresh – for this do or die game.

“This game keeps any hopes and aspirations for the Premiership alive. Most of the selection (for Toulouse) was about the injuries and the small part was to have players fresh for Saturday.

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“The wider picture is that we are in a good place and we look to push on in all three competitions. We are nowhere near giving up on the Premiership, and we have put most of our eggs in this basket and I would like to be vindicated by the result.”

Sanderson has dealt with the fallout from the Toulouse loss individually with the players who were on the pitch in Toulouse and added: “Having made that selection that we did, I contributed to their pain they felt on the field and the kind of loss that does scar you for a long time if not forever.

“I didn’t expect a blowout to that extent with three yellow cards. You get confidence from being in these situations before and showing our mettle and I know they will be tight – I can guarantee that – but you cannot guarantee the bounce of the ball.”