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Who dares wins

Jenny Dixon
20/ 8/2008

IF the SAS motto ‘Who Dares Wins’ is true - then Sharks are in for a season of triumphs.

As these photos show, Sale players have been unfazed by even the most terrifying challenge, which should stand them in good stead for the games ahead.

During a weekend camp in France players traversed an enormous cliff-face, some Sharks conquering a life-long fear of heights in their bid to be the best.

Centre Chris Bell said: "Some of the boys said they were scared of heights, but in fact they were petrified.  There were three or four of us in each team - we had to work together to get everyone through."

Bell was one of those who relished participating in the adrenaline-fuelled climbing task.

"It was good fun once you get over the fact that you are quite high up," he recalled.  "A few of the boys were a bit scared but others jumped at the chance to do it.  It was a great weekend. It was physically and mentally exhausting but we motivated each other - when I was struggling someone else was having their second wind and vice versa."

Sharks’ first match of the season, at Newcastle, is just three weeks away and Bell is among a group of players who are nearing full fitness after a spell out injured.

Jason White, Rudi Keil, Bell and Dwayne Peel are all ahead of schedule in terms of recovery from surgery, according to director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre, and all are expected to be fit for the start of the season.

Bell, who underwent an operation on his ankle during the summer, began rugby training with the rest of the squad this week.

"Every year pre-season is quite tough going," added 25-year-old Bell. "There’s a lot of work to do in a short space of time, but everybody has been working really hard and the mood in camp has been very good."

Bell is hoping to put himself in contention for one of the three friendly fixtures at Edgeley Park, which begin on Friday with a double header against Sedgley Park and Leeds Carnegie.

Sharks’ final pre-season match is against French division two side Lyon, a team managed by Saint-Andre’s brother Raphael. Saint-Andre explained how the family tie came about: "We were expecting to play Leinster but they cancelled at the last minute. We wanted two games at home and there weren’t too many options. The French league [Top 14] will have already started.  Lyon finished third in the second division, they lost in the semi-final by three points - they wanted to go up.   Playing them was our only option and it was easier because my brother is coach of the team."