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‘We’re not there yet’ warns Saint-Andre

28/12/2005

PHILIPPE Saint-Andre's New Year's resolution is for his team to keep improving.

Despite a memorable year, which ends with Sale Sharks at the top of the Premiership, the French director of rugby believes there is more work to do, asserting: 'We are not the finished article.'

Saint-Andre, whose father was present to witness his side's latest victory against Northampton Saints, explained: "I'm very pleased with 2005, we've improved a lot in 18 months. We've finished third in the league, won the European Challenge Cup, top our group in the Heineken Cup and are, at the moment, top of the Guinness Premiership, so I've got to be pleased.

"But we still make so many mistakes, we drop too much ball and sometimes today we needed just one more pass for a try, but maybe I expect too much of my team.

"I'm very pleased we won and we won easily but we expected a bonus point.

"As a coach I believe we can improve 30 to 40 per cent.

"Northampton's rush defence worked well, our plan was to create space in mid-field and get the ball out with Charlie Hodgson putting guys into gaps but we kept dropping the ball.

"We can improve but it's Boxing Day and perhaps I shouldn't be too hard on my players."

Sharks impressive form has not only prompted unprecedented support from rugby fans, Monday's fixture was Sharks' fastest ever sell-out, it has also forced rival sides to take note of English rugby's newest giants.

Saint-Andre explained: "I think clubs in England and Europe are starting to respect us and a lot of clubs want our top players like Sebastien Chabal, Magnus Lund, Jason White and Sebastien Bruno. Toulouse have tried to sign our top players."

Thankfully all four of the forwards turned down offers to leave the Edgeley Park fold and recently agreed long-term deals tostay with Sharks.

With a wealth of talented, internationally renowned players pledging their commitment to the club it looks like 2006 could be another bumper year for Sharks.