'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson believes England wing Tom Roebuck could usurp Liam Williams as the king of the airways after an outstanding performance in the Investec Champions Cup 29-7 victory over Racing 92.

Roebuck’s ability to leap high and catch the ball makes him a real threat when chasing high kicks or competing for crosskicks from George Ford and Rob du Preez for the Sharks. He will be aiming to showcase this skill in the Sharks’ home Gallagher Premiership clash with winless Exeter Chiefs on Saturday and push his claim for a starting place in the England team for the Six Nations championship.

Sanderson coached Williams, the British and Irish Lions Test star, while he was at Saracens and the full-back or wing is now back in North London after a period playing in Japan. Sanderson is in awe of Willaims’ athleticism and ability to secure the high ball but is adamant Roebuck, who is 6ft 2in, is threatening to usurp the Welshman.

Sanderson said: “Tom has the potential to be better than a British Lion and so he is in pretty decent company. The lads told Ben Curry had to give his man of the match award against Racing to Tom when he came in on Monday because they voted him the best player on the field. Tom also looked good stepping off his right foot and finished his try well and is a multi-faceted player. This new adaption in the kick contest has highlighted his x-factor, his superpower which is to climb, snatch and tap back the ball.

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“Tom is getting up there with Liam who has bigger hands. I have never seen hands like Liam’s and that helps him in the air and he is so fearless and I see those traits in Tom who also never takes his eyes off the ball and if anything he is probably a better athlete (than Liam). He is a little bigger although no one is tougher than Liam who is as tough as old boots having been a scaffolder.”

Despite Exeter failing to win any matches in the league, Sanderson has used the West Country club’s statistics to prove they are not as bad as their bottom-of-the-table position would suggest.

“Scrum and maul dominance they are up in the top four,” he explained. “They kick a lot of contestable kicks and it is an aggressive strategy and have some really dangerous strike runners. They are number one for tackle dominance so if you look at those statistics alone it shows their results are not comparing with some of their abilities on the field.”

The manner of the win over Racing was important to convince the players their tactical changes in attack are working. He added: “We had to rest a few against Glasgow Warriors and lost 38-19 then we met in a café on the Monday after with the team leaders and everyone said they want to keep on going down the road we started. You then know you have got them and our performance against Racing proved that. It was a great relief that what we have put into place does work against good teams.”