Sanderson: ‘Raffi can be even better than Faf’
GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: Alex Sanderson Director of Sale Sharks is interviewed during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester Rugby and Sale Sharks at Kingsholm Stadium on October 09, 2021 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images for Sale Sharks)
SALE boss Alex Sanderson reckons rising star ‘Raffi de Klerk’ could be even better than World Cup-winning South African Faf de Klerk.
Quirke scored twice against Quins to press his England claims in front of watching England boss Eddie Jones.
He has been given a chance to shine with De Klerk sidelined through injury after international duty, drawing comparisons between the scrum-halves.
Yet Sanderson said: “I think he deserves his own nickname because he’s his own man.
“I think he has every chance of being as good, if not better, than Faf.”
The result marked the champions’ first loss of the season after three straight wins. It also continued their recent wretched record at the AJ Bell Stadium on the outskirts of Salford.
Tabai Matson, the Quins coach, said: “We lacked composure because they put us under pressure when we exited and then they did a good job at the setpiece, which kept the penalty count ticking over.”
