Saint-Andre’s regime is to blame for Sale’s slump, says Pete Anglesea

Former director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre must shoulder the blame for Sale’s slump in fortunes, according to forwards coach Pete Anglesea.
But Anglesea insists the club is back on track under the guidance of chief executive Steve Diamond and that the good times are ready to roll again.
The Sharks enjoyed their most successful period under Saint-Andre, when star imports such as Sebastien Chabal, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe and Sebastien Bruno helped them win the Parker Pen Cup before capturing the Premiership title in 2006.
They sacrificed their traditional swashbuckling style, though, and Anglesea believes a lack of forward planning contributed to the club’s subsequent downfall.
Saint-Andre, now head coach of France, ended a fiveyear stint at Sale in 2009, and the Sharks had to battle relegation in 2010 and 2011 before Diamond restored order.
Long-serving Anglesea told The Rugby Paper: “Philippe had his way and for a period the style of play he adopted was obviously successful, but we probably brought in too many imports and didn’t look enough from within, in my opinion.
“We didn’t look to the young lads or show any faith in them. We just got the cheque book out and, as a result, when the imports left and there was a bit of a void when the local lads, the heart of the club, didn’t come through.
“The club has been poorly organised over the last few years, but recently, under Steve and with the backing of Brian Kennedy and Ian Blackhurst, they’ve really taken the club by the scruff of the neck again.
“We’ve started to go in the direction we should have done over the last few years. We want to bring back the identity of the North, that ethos of playing attractive rugby, and we want to play an abrasive game that attracts and entertains the fans.
“We’ve got a new stadium, our training facilities are second to none and we’re forming a new group of players and it’s all systems go.”
Sale have utilised the cheque book again this summer, with Danny Cipriani being the headline signing from Melbourne Rebels.
But Anglesea is tipping Scotland international Richie Gray and returning prop forward Eifion Lewis-Roberts to make a huge impact.
“Being in the Heineken Cup has made it easier to sign the quality of player we have and we’re one team that can honestly say we’re considerably stronger because of who we’ve signed,” Anglesea said.
“We’ve got the exciting Cipriani, who everyone’s gagging to see again, and I’ve been really impressed with the other lads, too.
“A really big signing for us, who I’m glad to see back, is Eifion Lewis-Roberts, because for a player to play 30-odd games in French rugby for a team full of superstars like Toulon, has been a tremendous feat.
“Being a North Walian, Sale is his club and he’s been looking really good in training.
“Richie Gray’s another one. He’s a big lad, but he’s got all the skills and spatial awareness.
“He’s got a nice touch, his handling ability is good and he’s obviously an exceptionally talented forward who ticks all the boxes of a modern rugby player.
“Cipriani will be over the moon to have guys like Gray and Lewis-Roberts in the side and I think they’ll complement each other in different ways.
“Cipriani’s going to have a big lineout forward like Gray delivering him quality ball, and Richie’s going to have someone who can tear oppositions open.”
Another plus is that Sale have no representation in England‘s current senior squad. Wing Mark Cueto has retired from the international game and prop Andrew Sheridan has gone to Toulon.
But Anglesea concedes that with full-back Rob Miller, lock James Gaskell and prop Henry Thomas in the Saxons mix that may change.
He said: “If you look at how many internationals the North produces it’s a high percentage. We want to be nurturing those players through to the senior side again.”
NEALE HARVEY