Sale Sharks' 2025-26 season has been a rollercoaster ride, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering if the club is on the decline or just going through a rough patch. The story of Sale Sharks is a cautionary tale about the delicate balance between success and sustainability in professional rugby, and the challenges that come with maintaining a winning culture over the long term.
The season began with promise, with two wins from their opening three games. However, a series of surprising defeats and a string of injuries soon cast a shadow over the club's prospects. The wheels came off after a 65-14 drubbing away to Saracens in October, with teenage wing Noah Caluori running in five tries on his first Prem start. This was followed by a surprise 27-26 home loss to Exeter Chiefs in November, where the hosts gave up a 20-point lead early in the second half.
The turning point came in January, when a home defeat by Northampton Saints effectively ended their top-four hopes with eight games still to play. The season then took a turn for the worse, with the club suffering the heaviest losses in its history. In February, they were smashed 77-7 away to star-studded French giants Toulouse in the Champions Cup, and in April, they were humiliated 85-19 at home by Saracens, with Caluori helping himself to five more tries.
The only silver lining was a victory at Harlequins six days after that debacle, which gave them some breathing space in guaranteeing a top-eight spot and a Champions Cup place for next season. However, the final weeks of the campaign saw them lose to both Gloucester and Newcastle Red Bulls, two of the three sides to finish below them, highlighting their loss of the hard-winning edge of previous campaigns.
Injury has played a key part in Sale's struggles, with the England core spending significant stretches on the treatment table. Back-row twins Tom and Ben Curry, winger Tom Roebuck, Asher Opoku-Fjordjour, and in recent weeks, fellow front-rowers Bevan Rodd and Luke Cowan-Dickie, have all missed large chunks of action. The coaching front has also been affected, with Marco Bortolami leaving his job as head coach in December after just six months at the club, and defence coach Byron McGuigan leaving Sale in March.
Despite the challenges, Sale Sharks have shown resilience and determination. Head coach Steve Sanderson has been tested in a way he has not experienced before, but with the support of owner Simon Orange, he has real conviction that things will turn around. Sanderson believes that the tough times have brought out the leaders in the team, and he is grateful for the lessons learned the hard way.
Looking ahead, Sale Sharks have strengthened their squad for next season by signing England internationals Courtney Lawes, Joe Marchant, and Alex Lozowski, along with Wales front-row pair Nicky Smith and Tomas Francis. This will add experience and ease the pressure on the club's promising homegrown players. However, the question remains: can Sale Sharks turn things around and reclaim their place among the Premier League's elite?
In my opinion, Sale Sharks' season has been a fascinating study in the challenges of maintaining a winning culture in professional rugby. The club has faced a series of setbacks, from injuries to coaching changes, but has shown resilience and determination. The question now is whether they can turn things around and reclaim their place among the Premier League's elite. Personally, I think that the future looks bright for Sale Sharks, but it will take time and effort to get back on track. What makes this particularly fascinating is the club's ability to adapt and overcome adversity, and the role that leadership and experience will play in their recovery.
