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Rest for weary men

5/11/2008

SHARKS players and coaches finally got a rest this week after a gruelling seven games in 35 days.

The team have paid the price in terms of results, losing five of the seven fixtures, and personnel, with a number of key players currently out injured - four long-term.

With several players away on international duty this weekend [see below], the demands on the rest of the squad look set to increase further in the coming weeks.

But Sharks’ chief executive James Jennings said international call-ups were ‘a feature of the season’ now.

He added: "I think we’ve got a very good squad, although it is not the biggest squad in the Premiership. Obviously at the moment we have a number of players out injured, which places more demands on the rest of the squad."

However, Jennings believes the most challenging part of the season is now behind Sharks.

"We’ve just finished, with the game against Bath on October 24, a period of six games in four weeks. That will probably be the most intense period of rugby all season," he said. "Now we are back into a pattern of three or four games per month, which is much more sensible and managable.

"But, until our long term injuries are back, we’ll still have to manage the squad very carefully."

Sharks signed Dave Ward last month in order boost the team’s options at hooker, after Sebastien Bruno was put out of action until January due to injury. Bringing in more players, although not likely, has not been ruled out.

"It’s something we can consider," explained Jennings. "But it is always difficult bringing players in in the middle of the season. We are hoping the players out injured long term will make a speedy recovery and come back early next year."