High-flying Sale host Bath at the AJ Bell

Sale will be riding high after their unexpected but well-earned victory against the table-topping Bristol Bears in Round 8 as the former play host to Bath at the AJ Bell on Friday evening.

Sale travelled to Ashton Gate and showed great fight and purpose in the pitch as they would not allow Bristol to run away with the game. Then, with some five minutes left on the clock, Jono Ross’ charges went for the jugular.

Bath, on the other hand, have experienced an uncharacteristically poor season by their usual standards, having only won one game from their eight appearances thus far. Things did not improve for them in Round 8 where they crashed out to Harlequins 28-15 at The Rec.

Sale, with six victories from their eight outings, are sitting in third position on the log, only one point behind Exeter Chiefs and just three behind Bristol. It is thus possible that, should things go their way in this Round, they could be in top spot come the end of the weekend. There is, therefore, much to play for as far as Paul Deacon’s men are concerned.

Interestingly, it was Bath who came out on top last time these two teams locked horns – in Round 20 of the 2019-20 competition – as they downed their Sale rivals 37-22 at the AJ Bell.

Bath last tasted victory in Round 3 when they stuck one on Worcester Warriors 33-17 and alarm bells will now be ringing. Expect a concerted effort from Charlie Ewels and co., but will it be enough to topple Sale at home?