Sale Sharks Women hope huge decision can bring change in fortune in historic double header

Rachel Taylor hopes a change in venue will bring a change in fortunes as Sale Sharks prepare to take on Leicester Tigers at Salford Community Stadium on Sunday.

Both sides are without a win after their opening six matches but Sharks are hoping for a bumper crowd this weekend in the first part of a double header with the club’s men’s side, who also host Tigers later in the afternoon.

Performance coach Taylor feels her side’s performances are improving week by week and now has her sights set on a positive result to reflect that trend.

“Obviously it’s a huge game for us against Leicester Tigers, both of us are in search of our first win of the season and so that always adds an element of energy as well as the pressure and the excitement,” said Sharks’ performance coach.

“We feel really fortunate to have the opportunity to play at the stadium. We had an opportunity there last season, it meant an awful lot to the players and staff.

“We’re on a trajectory and it’s about keeping the belief that over time we just have to make sure that we are always better than the time we played before.

“They (the players) don’t necessarily need wins to make them motivated to get better every day and to make it better for rugby in the North.”

This is a first-ever double header for Sharks, which Taylor – who joined the club in 2021 having previously held a similar role with Wales – feels is a measure of the progress the women’s side have made in recent times.

“For us to have that this season with the guys is really important for us,” she said. "We're all massively invested in the club, so to be there on the same day will mean a lot. It’s a sign of where we’ve got to.”

Sharks pushed unbeaten league leaders Exeter Chiefs all the way in Round 7,