But even Sale's director of rugby could not hide his deflation after his side's season ended in defeat at Bath last week in the Premiership play-off semi-final.
"I will turn my frown upside down when I am on the coach," said Sanderson, reflecting on a season of contrasts: a strong start and finish with a slew of defeats in between.
No club won more matches in the regular season than the Sharks, 12 out of 18, but their lack of try bonus points meant they had to travel in the play-offs, a stage where home advantage invariably makes the difference.
Sale finished third, four points behind the top two, and no team has ever gone on to claim the title from that position. The Sharks gave it a go at Bath, recovering from 13 points down to lead with 15 minutes to go, but injuries had left them with a flanker in the second row and no Manu Tuilagi prowling the midfield.
It was Sale's third semi-final appearance in four years, but having reached the final a year ago, when Saracens finished the stronger at Twickenham, Sanderson had spent last summer plotting to go one better.
This story is from the June 09, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 09, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A humble hero who had a big heart ...
A DARK cloud of sorrow has been hovering above St Thomas’ Church at the east end of Swansea this Christmas over the loss of one of its most beloved disciples, Geoff Wheel.
Firefighter Konkel turning the heat up for Harlequins
FIREFIGHTER Jade Konkel has ignited a Harlequins title charge following a run of miserable successive seasons for the 2020/21 winners.
Quins finish year at the top of the pile
HARLEQUINS went top of the Premiership Women’s Rugby with victory in Big Game 16 at the Allianz Stadium.
Pirates are on course to make it five in a row
CORNISH Pirates are riding a wave of momentum looking for their fifth consecutive Championship win when they visit strugglers Ampthill today.
Nottingham take their chances to silence Cov
A THRILLING display of high-tempo attacking rugby in which wingers Ryan Olowofela and David Williams played prominent roles earned Nottingham a bonus-point success over Midlands rivals Coventry.
Itoje: Life's taken turn for the better under Borthwick
ENGLAND and Saracens lock Maro Itoje has claimed that the ‘atmosphere and experience’ of playing for the national team has improved under Steve Borthwick compared to life under former head coach Eddie Jones, adding that some of the practices Jones employed to get the best out of his players were ‘unnecessary’.
Varndell: Lam has put flair into Bears
WHEN it comes to scoring tries in Premiership Rugby, few players have struck fear into opposition defences quite like Tom Varndell.
Let's hope Brizball can stay in fashion
THIS is not obviously the time to be talking balls – the Twickenham elite have cornered that particular market – but the question demands to be asked: is Brizball the union game’s version of Bazball?
Roots looking to find his old form
ETHAN Roots started 2024 with a bang, man of the match in Italy on his England debut, but his year ended with more of a splutter.
Dragons still can't get better of Cardiff
DRAGONS’ nightmare run against their fiercest rivals continued as they fell to their 19th consecutive defeat, having not beaten them since Boxing Day 2014.
