Alex Sanderson expects Tom Curry and George Ford to be recalled by England once they have proved their fitness.
Flanker Curry, England’s captain a year ago, missed the opening two rounds with a hamstring strain but returned for yesterday’s match at Northampton.
Fly-half Ford, below, was on the bench yesterday having had 40 minutes in the Premiership Cup match at Bristol earlier this month, his first appearance since suffering an Achilles injury in June’s Premiership final between Leicester and Saracens.
“I have not spoken to Steve (Borthwick, England head coach) recently,” said Sanderson, Sale‘s director of rugby, “but I understand where his head’s at regarding Tom and George.
“If they show they’re fit and in form there is every chance they will be included. George was out for seven months, but he has 70 caps and he looks as sharp as ever. It is Steve’s call.”
Sale’s team at Northampton included two players who were released by England, Manu Tuilagi and Bevan Rodd, making them unlikely to feature in Saturday’s Six Nations match against Wales at the Principality Stadium, while Ben Curry was not in the 23.
“They are all super motivated to do well for Sale,” said Sanderson. “If they came back kicking stones either I would not be doing my job right or they are not resilient enough.
“I ring them up in camp and when they are on their way home. I am impressed with the eagerness they have to show they possess the minerals. There is gravitas to being selected by England and it hurts when they are left out, especially around their peers, but they are ready to go for us.
“Manu came back all smiles and was the first person to give us a hug. England have questioned his recent form but he has played well for us and showed that he is more robust, which is what I think they wanted to see. He is excited, not frustrated.”
Sale have waited a long time to see their big summer signing get on to the field, but with Rob du Preez in outstanding form this season, Ford knows he has to fight for his place.
“The environment here is player driven and George is a big part of it,” said Sanderson. “He played against Bristol but not in the next game because he was being managed.
“He does not expect to be handed the 10 shirt when lads have been performing really well. George has quality but he will have to let chips fall and earn his place.”
Sale have been defensively strong all season, only conceding one try bonus point in the Premiership and in the Champions Cup, but they let in 13 in their final two Premiership Cup matches following the departure of defence coach Mike Forshaw to Wales.
“I don’t think Mike not being here is the reason we were not physically dominant in those matches. It may have been a contributing factor to some of the worst collision dominance we have had.
“We had a serious meeting with the players about the standards we expect and they took it on board. There was no sweeping it under the carpet because we were not at full strength: when you put a Sale shirt on there are certain requirements, one of which is to put your body on the line for others, something that requires no talent.”
