Plumtree looks to Challenge Cup for solace as Sharks plumb new URC depths

Sharks coach John Plumtree is looking to the Challenge Cup to find some solace after an extremely trying United Rugby Championship portion of the season for his charges.

They fell to a miserable 44-10 hammering against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, leaving them with an inexplicable six losses from seven starts this season, despite having more Springbok star quality at their disposal than most.

They will be hosting Section Paloise, better known as Pau, on Saturday, who are having a wonderful start to their French Top 14 season, with a fourth place to show for their efforts.

Plumtree said his players are going to have to find a way to pick themselves up from a chastening defeat if they are to find answers before Pau come to town.

"Pau are top of the French Top 14, so, we're going to have to improve our set-pieces and then we can build after that," Plumtree said.

READ | Bulls fry listless, toothless Sharks at sweltering Loftus

"We also need to do some mental soul searching. The review isn't going to be pretty on Monday and the players need to look at how they're going to respond.

"When you take 40 points like that, you've let a lot of people down, so the players need to look at how we're going to respond.

"You also let yourselves down as players when you take 40 points like that, so the mirror may be a good place for the boys to start.

"From there, we'll see what we do on Monday."

Plumtree morbidly explained how their set-pieces fell apart in the face of the Bulls' structure and discipline.

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The Sharks lost Emile van Heerden before kick-off and were forced to deploy Jeandre 'Lappies' Labuschagne at lock.

They struggled in the lineouts, so badly that they