■By JON NEWCOMBE

Sale v Stade Francais PREVIEW... Today. Kick-off 1pm, AJ Bell Stadium ALEX Sanderson is relishing Sale’s novel status as underdogs as the Premiership leaders prepare to face some of the best sides in Europe, starting with a home game against Stade Francais. After today’s clash, the Sharks travel to four-time winners Leinster, then face 2022 URC champions the Stormers in Cape Town before concluding the pool stages with a home date against hat-trick seeking La Rochelle. If ever evidence was needed that the Champions Cup is the closest thing to...