ALEX Sanderson has piled the pressure on his old Saracens pals by labelling them firm favourites to lift the title again.
The Sale boss believes Mark McCall's men are the team to fear on their return to the Premiership.
But Sanderson also feels that Sharks' own bid to be crowned champions will be boosted by Manu Tuilagi having a full preseason where he has lost weight and will be fitter and more agile than for a long time.
Sanderson has proved a successful appointment at the AJ Bell Stadium since leaving his long term post with Sarries to succeed Steve Diamond. He guided Sale to third place before losing to Exeter Chiefs in the play-offs.
He admits the start of the new season will be tougher for Sale than most due to the on-going absence of internationals stars, including the five South Africans and Lions man Tom Curry.
But he's well aware of the threat which will now be posed by Sarries in a 13- team league insisting: “Saracens are coming back in and are Premiership favourites according to the bookies. Rightly so, they have a lot of quality players and strong coaching staff.
“Mark McCall (DoR) would hate me to big him up because I'm sure he would like to come in under the radar. But I feel they are still able to do well without their top string. They have been working hard in pre-season and I expect they come in in a rich vein of form. They will come back stronger. I hope they do because I can't understand people who don't want the best teams in the competition because they raise the level of the sport.
“If you can't live with it you don't deserve to be in the competition. I call Mark constantly. He was really supportive in some of the first games in terms of the shift in mentality. We share a lot of principles in terms of player release and availability because of the South Africans involved. Saying that, there's nothing more I want than to beat Saracens. I'm looking forward to meeting up with all their lads again.”
Sanderson hopes to lead Sharks to the title this time having laid strong foundations but is aware he will not be able to call upon the services of so many of his top internationals for a while.
He said: “It's about understanding what each individual player needs in terms of physical and mental recovery.
“We've missed them but they need lots of good recovery time.
“Anyone who has lost such quality players to the Lions or South Africa will be vulnerable and struggle a little.
“Ourselves more than most because we've still got four players away. Squad rotation is always such a crucial thing and will be again this time.
Tuilagi, 30, will be hoping to stay fit and be a real weapon in the Sharks armoury when they kick off at home to Bath next Saturday.
And Sanderson is excited by what he sees in the shape of the new leaner, lighter England centre.
He says: “Manu came in with Rohan (Janse van Rensburg). They have both been injured in the past.
“They are brothers from other mothers… thick as thieves! If they go out on their balconies they can see each other. They have bought houses so close because there is such love!
“They have been knocking around together all the time, laughing and joking. Both came in six kgs lighter than they have played at before, around 104kgs now.
“The main improvement is the mobility which they lacked a little bit at the back end of last season, and to stay injury free.
“As a result they have improved their robustness to able them to get through sessions.
“And I am sure that will be transferred onto the field. We are going to see a sharper Manu and Rohan.”
