Chiefs challenge Sharks at the AJ Bell

The walls of the AJ Bell will rattle with the voices of the Sale Sharks faithful as Paul Deacon’s men face a humdinger against Exeter Chiefs. 

Sale will have plenty of juice in the legs after enjoying a bye last weekend while the Chiefs snuck past Harlequins by a single point: 

The last time the teams met was in Round 19 of the 2021-22 campaign; Chiefs taking the spoils, 19-12: 

This from Exeter boss Rob Baxter: 

“It’s always one of our toughest games, but it one I know the guys really look forward to playing in,” said Baxter. 

“I think over the years we’ve produced some of our best performances up there, simply because we know you have to do that if you want to come away from Sale with anything. 

“This weekend is going to be a much different test to the last few weeks. It’s going to be tough, it’s going to be physical, plus we’re running into some former guys in Hilly and Flats. 

"Like ourselves, they’ve had a good start to the season and no doubt they’ll want to continue that again this weekend.” 

Match facts: 

Sale Sharks 

• Ben Curry has made as many dominant tackle contacts as any other player in the league this season, smashing six of his opponents in the opening rounds. 
• New signing Tom O’Flaherty is making a strong impression in the North of England. His two tries in the opening stages of the Premiership make him Sale’s top try-scorer. He has played 156 of Sale’s 160 minutes of rugby this season. 
• The Du Preez trio continue to make waves in English club rugby. The Sharks’ two most regular carriers are Dan du Preez and Jean Luc du Preez, who have made 19 and 18 carries respectively so far this season. Showing slightly more subtlety than the bash brothers, Rob du Preez has kept the scoreboard ticking over for his side, scoring 26 points so far this season. 

Exeter Chiefs 

• Exeter Chiefs continue to back their signature high-possession style of play, making an enormous 530 carries so far this season for an average of 177 carries per 80 minutes of rugby. To contextualise this, this is 161 more carries in total than the closest competitors, Wasps. 
• Unsurprisingly, this means that the Chiefs are also top of metres made in the Premiership, making an average of 584 per 80 minutes. 
• Fickle at the set-piece, Exeter Chiefs have won more lineout steals than any other side so far this season (eight). 

Historical 

• Sale Sharks have been beaten by Exeter Chiefs in the last four meetings between these sides. 
• The Sharks are currently on a five-match winning streak. Similarly, the Chiefs have won all of their last four matches.