SALE can go all the way in this season's Heineken Cup, according to the coach of group rivals Clermont-Auvergne.
The Sharks won the Guinness Premiership for the first time in 2006 but have had a couple of lean years since then, despite director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre having a strong squad at his disposal. They look to be back to their miserly best this s
eason, though and, after four matches, they top the fledgling Premiership without having conceded a try.
Sale's return to Europe's elite competition will see them locking horns with holders Munster and French pair Clermont and Montauban in a tough-looking Pool One. But Clermont coach Jean-Marc Lhermet thinks the Manchester-based side, who boost world-class talents such as Luke McAlister, Andrew Sheridan and Dwayne Peel in their ranks, have a great chance to claim their first Heineken Cup.
"Sale can win the Heineken Cup – you just have to look at the (Premiership] rankings at the moment," Lhermet said. "The team are able to go all the way with the players they have.
"Munster are favourites in this group simply because they are Munster.
"They are experienced and won it last season. After that, Sale and Clermont are very close and I think both of us can win it."
The full article contains 225 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
