The Blue, Black and White have proved tough to beat this season and but for a few errors and decisions, they may have progressed as Johann van Graan outlines.

“We were disappointed not to win our two home games and in the Challenge Cup, you’ve got to win at home. Looking back over the four rounds, the first game against Glasgow the score was 22-19 and we had a kickable penalty, but we didn’t use that opportunity. The Toulon game at home – away from home at Kingsholm! – we fought our way back to 28-23 and then two mistakes at the scrum and line-out and that’s the lessons we as a team have got to take.

“The positives are we are competing; the work on is to turn those into victories.

"Jumping on to the Glasgow game last week, we told the group we can’t control what other teams do but we can control our performance and we wanted to finish well in Europe. It was a great place to go and try and do that because of their home record; they are red hot there currently.

“I thought we did really well in what was a tight contest, and I was really happy with our performance. Obviously, we wanted to win the game and I said to the group if you do draw away from home then you must win your home games and that will be something we’ll be looking to do next season.”

Bath’s Challenge Cup exit means full focus goes into the Gallagher Premiership for the remainder of the season with an aim as finishing as high as possible.

Up next, a trip to the AJ Bell to face a Sale Sharks side who have been in positive form of late.

“Every game in this Premiership currently is tough,” van Graan said.

“Sale are a team I respect a lot. We lost the physical battle with them in Round 2 and it’s something we have to be better at.

“They nilled Ulster, they gave Leicester 40 and they ran Toulouse pretty close. The challenge for us in the Premiership is to mentally stay in it for the rest of the season because one loss and you could be last, two wins and you could be fourth which is brilliant for the Premiership, and that’s the same for all the teams.”

MATCH DETAILS - sale sharks v bath rugby

When: Friday 27 January, 19:45
Where: AJ Bell Stadium
Competition: R16 Gallagher Premiership
Coverage: Match Centre, BBC Radio Bristol, BT Sport
Referee: Karl Dickson
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce & Peter Allan
TMO: Tom Foley

SALE SHARKS PROFILE

Formed: 1861
Stadium: AJ Bell Stadium
Director of Rugby: Alex Sanderson
Captain: Jono Ross
Finish last season: 6^th

HONOURS

Premiership: 2005/06
Championship: 1993/94
European Challenge Cup: 2001/02, 2004/05
Premiership Rugby Cup: 2019/20
Cheshire RFU Cup: 17 times from 1969 to 1997

ONE TO WATCH – GEORGE FORD

It is rumoured Ford will make his return to play and his Sale Sharks debut on Friday night. The England fly-half has been sidelined since the Gallagher Premiership final, a game in which he contributed to Leicester Tigers winning the competition. Having played at Bath previously, fans will know the quality he possesses with ball in hand and his kicking.

TRY REWIND

A fantastic bit of individual skill from Cooper Vuna helped see Joe Cokanasiga over the line against Sale Sharks in 2018.

join us at the rec

The next three matches at The Rec are:

London Irish (Foundation Day!), Sat 18 Feb, 15:00
Bristol Bears, Fri 24 Feb, 19:45
England U20 v France U20, Fri 10 Mar, 20:00

We look forward to you joining us!

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Huboo Match Preview: Sale Sharks (A - R16)

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