Published: 3 hours ago | 5 August 2026 06:51 EDT
Updated: 3 hours ago | 5 August 2026 06:52 EDT
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gallagher-premiership
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 29: Elia Canakaivata of Fijian Drua runs the ball during the round 16 Super Rugby match between Queensland Reds and Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium, on May 29, 2026, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chloe Davis/Getty Images) 
Alex Sanderson has put the Gallagher PREM on notice after admitting that Sale Sharks are fed up of being second best and are hunting silverware this season.
The Sharks boss has used Simon Orange’s cheque book to bring in former England stars Courtney Lawes, Joe Marchant, and Welsh duo Tomas Francis and Nicky Smith, who boast almost 300 caps between them, to help him to achieve it.
He is also hoping that former Flying Fijians star Elia Canakaivata will sprinkle some stardust from the wings as he demands that the Sharks, who finished seventh last season after losing 13 of their 18 games, play faster, for longer, and outwork teams.
Sanderson told the Sharks website that he predicts a big season ahead for Canakaivata following his move from Fijian Drua, based on what he has seen in pre-season training.
“We want our decision-making to be better, and that comes down to the experience we’ve brought in. We want to play at speed with execution under pressure, and that comes down to international-level talent and quality, which is what we have recruited,” he said.
“We’re going to run more, play more and play right to the edge – both in terms of our skillset and how we play to 82, 83 minutes and beyond, and we’re going to be relentlessly dominant.
“We’ve brought in good characters, but we’ve also brought in big men who like to bang, none more so than Elia Canakaivata. The bombs have already been flying in training, and he’s going to do some damage this season.
“We feel like we have a good mix of all of that this season, but we’re all winners in pre-season, aren’t we? It’s been a hell of a start for us, and I genuinely believe that there is no more exciting time to get behind a Sale Sharks team.
“We’ve got a brilliant group of homegrown players, and we’ve added a lot of international experience. We know there is a bit of magic and sometimes a bit of luck needed to win a cup, but this is the best time to back us. We’re fed up of being second best.”