Having come up just short of making the final last season, Sale Sharks will be looking to rid themselves of the nearly men tag in 2025/26.
On paper, though, the squad looks slightly weaker, especially up front, with the loss of Jonny Hill from the engine room and loose forward Jean-Luc du Preez to French clubs, along with the retirements of club stalwarts like Ross Harrison, Tommy Taylor, Josh Beaumont and utility back Will Addison.
Jacques Vermeulen will bring plenty of grunt, however, after making the long trip up north from Exeter.
Here’s our position-by-position assessment of the depth of the squad ahead of the new season.
Loosehead: Tumy Onasanya, Si McIntyre, Bevan Rodd
Bevon Rodd is one of the top looseheads in the country and is backed up by a hugely experienced figure in Si McIntyre. Asher Opoku-Fordjour can also cover the position, so Sale shouldn’t be caught too short here unless they have a bad run of injuries. Depth rating: 7.5/10
Hooker: Ethan Caine, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tadgh McElroy, Nathan Jibulu
Nathan Jibulu is a really exciting addition to the hooker ranks and will be competing with Tadgh McElroy, who made a significant impact in 2024/25, as back-up to Luke Cowan-Dickie. Cowan-Dickie was the highest try-scoring forward in the PREM last season with nine. Depth rating: 8.5/10
Tighthead: Asher Opoku-Fordjour, James Harper, WillGriff John, Tye Raymont
Sale’s front-row resources at tighthead also look very decent, with emerging England star Asher Opoku-Fordjour leading the way. Wales international WillGriff John and the dependable James Harper give Sale two more credible options at 3. Depth rating: 8
Lock: Hyron Andrews, Ben Bamber, Tom Burrow, Le Roux Roets
Hyron Andrews and Ben Bamber really stepped up last season and they will be expected to shoulder plenty of work this time around, along with 6’7, 130kg South African enforcer, Le Roux Roets, who only managed a handful of appearances last term. Nevertheless, the Sharks do look short of a lock or two. Depth rating: 6/10
Back-row: Rouban Birch, Ben Curry, Tom Curry, Huw Davies, Sam Dugdale, Jos Gilmore, Reuben Logan, Dan du Preez, Ernst van Rhyn, Jacques Vermeulen, Tristan Woodman.
No problems here; Sale are blessed with quality. The Currys (Tom Curry’s post-Lions wrist op won’t keep him out for long), Ernst van Rhyn and Jacques Vermeulen are all top-quality and have an exceptional work rate, while Sam Dugdale has proven himself time and time again when asked to fill in. Reuben Logan could make a similar impact to Northampton’s Henry Pollock if given a chance. Depth rating: 9/10
Scrum-half: Dom Hanson, Raffi Quirke, Nye Thomas, Gus Warr
With two internationals in Raffi Quirke and Gus Warr, whose differing styles of play dovetail nicely, and young Nye Thomas enjoying plenty of minutes off the bench last year, Sale appear to be pretty well-off at 9. Depth rating 8/10.
Fly-half: Tom Curtis, Ollie Davies, George Ford
Inexplicably snubbed by the Lions, George Ford enjoyed a fantastic summer tour with England and will be looking to take that form into the new season. Sale need Ford to be on the pitch as much as possible because he is so crucial to the way they play. Rob du Preez can switch from inside-centre if needed, while Tom Curtis will hope to get more of an opportunity, having principally played in the Cup last season. Depth rating: 7.5/10
Centre: Joe Bedlow, Sam Bedlow, Marius Louw, Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Rob du Preez
With ‘collision king’ Marius Louw arriving from South Africa and Rekeiti Ma’asi-White hoping to build on last season, Sale should pack plenty of punch in midfield, to complement the more subtle skills of du Preez. The Bedlows are good squad players for Sale to have up their sleeves. Depth rating: 7.5/10
Wing: Obi Ene, Tom O’Flaherty, Arron Reed, Tom Roebuck, Alex Wills
Arron Reed and Tom Roebuck would step their way into most Premiership starting XVs, and Tom O’Flaherty probably doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. Obi Ene and Alex Wills will also be looking to put their hands up. Both got run outs in the Cup and were no strangers to the scoresheet, Ene crossing for four in one match vs Caldy. Depth rating: 8/10
Full-back: Joe Carpenter, Luke James
Carpenter had a brilliant season last year with his raids from deep and dependability when it comes to the nuts and bolts of full-back play. Luke James is another class act, although not quite as physical, who has been around the club for a long time and offers so much experience, when fit, at full-back or in the centres. Depth rating: 8/10
Overall score: 78
Gallagher PREM ratings table
1. Bath – 83pts
2. Northampton – 80pts
3= Bristol – 78pts
3= Sale Sharks – 78pts
5. Gloucester – 68pts
Players listed in alphabetical order.