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Scouting for Sharks

Jenny Dixon
13/ 8/2008

SHARKS players’ preparations for the new season took a surprise turn in France last week, during a trip encompassing camping and adventure.

The first two days of Sharks’ pre-season trip had more in common with a scout camp than a rugby tour.

As well as sleeping under the stars, players took part in canyoning, canoeing, mountain biking and hill running in a bid to build team spirit and fitness.

Even Sale’s director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre joined in.

He explained: "None of the players knew what was planned.

"We slept outside in the mountains and did biking, running, canoeing and canyoning, it was very good for team spirit.

"It was tough physically and mentally and you had to help each other out.

"I joined in everything, it would have been difficult to ask the players to do it if I hadn’t, but all the players were pleased to do it and proud about what they had achieved.

"It helped with team spirit and team bonding because, if you are climbing 70 metres up and you get stuck, you have to communicate and get help from your friend.

"That communication and team spirit is important in rugby when you have a difficult game or have to defend close to the line, hopefully this experience will help."

Saint-Andre is well aware what can be achieved when a team is confronted by activities and an environment they are not used to.

He took part in a similar camp with France before the 1995 Rugby World Cup, in which his side finished third.

The positive effects of Sharks’ pre-season training are already in evidence on the pitch.

Sharks drew against Perpignan and lost to Montpellier (see report below) but Saint-Andre has been impressed by players’ improving fitness - in particular winger Rory Lamont and prop Eifion Roberts.

He said: "Rory and Eifion were the two best players on the pitch against Perpignan.

"Rory looks fitter and better than ever. He hurt his shoulder a bit at the end of the game but he has been with the physio and will probably be fit to play next Friday.

"Eifion has lost more than two stone [in weight]. He looks very fit and fast. Near the end of the game against Perpignan, he came back to tackle their wing and saved a try, that would not have been possible last year.

"The game is going to be quicker and faster [this season] so players need to be slimmer, quicker and run more than before."

The two friendly matches in France also provided younger players with an opportunity to prove themselves to Sharks coaches.

Saint-Andre added: "We had 18 senior players missing from the side, a lot of them are still in fitness training, so it has been good for younger players’ development.

Sharks' fightback fails in France

SHARKS’ fight-back in France was not enough to clinch the team victory against Montpellier.

In the second match of the Challenge Vaquerin tournament, which formed part of Sharks’ pre-season tour, Sharks trailed 21-0 at the interval.

Montpellier scored three converted tries before the break, while Sharks squandered two chances to get off the mark in the first half, but amended their failure to finish, almost immediately after the break.

Winger David Doherty scored Sharks’ first try, which Sale’s match captain Luke McAlister converted.

Their good work was undone when Montpellier replied with a converted try to re-establish their 21-point lead, before a fifth converted try put the French side 35-7 ahead.

Young winger Nick Royle’s brace of tries, converted by McAlister, reduced the deficit to 14, but attacking Sharks could not keep Montpellier from the tryline and the final score of the game.

Rory Lamont (shoulder) and Dean Schofield (knee) missed the match after suffering knocks in the game against Perpignan which Sale drew 24-24.

Lamont scored two tries in that game, his first since March, having sustained facial fractures playing for Scotland against England in the Six Nations.

Oriol Ripol took over the full-back role for the Montpellier tie, his first match since breaking his arm playing against Bath in April.