Prem 2026-27 preview – Sale Sharks: Title odds, key players and squad changes

By Peter Ryan

Sale Sharks will be hunting for redemption after a season in which they underperformed with the squad they had.

Sale have brought in some stars and will be looking to make a massive impact.

The bookmakers have made their judgement, handing Alex Sanderson’s side relatively long odds heading into the new campaign.

Sale, however, will not be defined by predictions.

They will enter the season determined to upset the odds, silence the doubters and make their performances impossible to ignore.

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Last season

Last season, the Sharks finished their campaign seventh in the Prem.

They took five wins and suffered 13 defeats. Sale tallied 524 points but conceded 602. The latter stat is a cause for concern.

A steadfast defence is usually a trademark of the Sharks’ game.

Even though it wasn’t the result the team was hoping for, some players still stood out.

Tom O’Flaherty had a monster of a season, in which he scored over 12 tries, gained 1,012 metres, and recorded 18 line breaks.

George Ford was consistent, tallying 143 points and six try assists.

The 33-year-old controls the game exceptionally well and pulls the strings of an exceptional backline full of English internationals.

There is already top-notch talent within Sale’s ranks, and they have added even more firepower.

Squad changes

Many players will be playing for Sale this season.

Courtney Lawes, Christ Tshiunza, Tomás Francis, Nicky Smith, Cebo Dlamini, JJ Scheepers, Elia Canakaivata and David Opoku-Fordjour arrive ready to begin an exciting new chapter.

Each brings something different, but they share the same opportunity: to make their mark and help drive their new club towards bigger things.

Lawes, in particular, is an interesting signing as he will be returning to the Prem with aspirations of playing for England once again.

Of course, Raffi Quirk is off to Exeter this season, but there is enough depth in the position with Gus Warr.

The odds

The market has Sale coming in at 12/1.

These odds reflect a team the bookmakers don’t consider a threat for the title, but on paper they could be the dark horse for the title with the talent they have.

It will be about rediscovering their physical edge, which has set them apart for years.

There is pressure on this Sharks team to perform, and with the squad they have, anything is possible.

Sale are built for the fight ahead.

Strength, depth and quality run throughout the squad, giving them every reason to believe they can compete with the very best.

The potential is undeniable, but the season will ultimately reveal how far that belief can carry them.

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