By PAUL REES

When Sale signed George Ford two years ago, it seemed that Robert du Preez would have his time on the field rationed as he sat on the bench.
The Sharks had not recruited the England outside-half to play a bit part role and nor has he. Neither has du Preez who will on Saturday make his 55th consecutive start in the Premiership when Sale face Bath in the playoff semi-final at the Recreation Ground Ford’s debut for Sale last season was delayed by injury. Du Preez, capped by South Africa against Wales in 2018, carried on at outside-half and made such an impact that not only was he...