Ford hopes Sale can ride Manchester momentum with Premiership success

Sale Sharks are hoping to ride the current wave of Manchester-based sporting optimism and become the first northern side to claim the Premiership title for 17 years. Not since 2006 have the Sharks hoisted the domestic league trophy but their England fly-half George Ford says the club now have their eyes firmly fixed on the prize.

With both Manchester City and United in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend and City also firmly in contention for Premier League and Champions League honours, Ford is keenly aware of the serious local competition in terms of headlines but believes a home Premiership semi-final for Sale would raise rugby’s profile across the north of England.

Friday night’s big win over Bristol means the Sharks will realise that ambition if they can secure another away success at Gloucester on Saturday. In that event Ford believes a high-profile occasion at the AJ Bell Stadium next month, potentially against his old club Leicester Tigers, would be “incredible” in terms of galvanising further support for the Sharks, whose last title was achieved back in the heyday of Jason Robinson, Sébastien Chabal, Mark Cueto and Jason White.

“The way the team have played – and the physicality and attitude they’ve shown – has meant the fans have really got behind them,” said Ford, who contributed 21 points in the convincing 36-20 victory at Ashton Gate. “It means a lot to the people up north so hopefully we can do that for them. We’re competing against some big football teams but all we can do is win, play good rugby and see who comes to watch us.”

Ford has also made clear that Sale are looking to raise their game to give themselves the best chance of reaching a Twickenham final. “I think there’s been a difference in the last