Sale Sharks can move into the play-off places tomorrow night if they defeat second placed Saracens under the AJ Bell lights.
After a strong start to the New Year, which has seen Alex Sanderson’s Sharks defeated only twice in 10 Premiership matches, Sale sit two points off the top four.
A third placed finish ended in heartbreak last season, as Exeter Chiefs oversaw their north west opponents 40-30 at Sandy Park. However, despite the darkened clouds of a semi-final loss, a Sale rainbow shone in the Devon sky.
Over recent years Sharks have been building a team to compete with the big boys.
A strong South African influence – which contains World Cup winners Lood de Jager and Faf de Klerk – mixed with international stars such as Tom Curry and AJ MacGinty, led many to believe Sale would be challenging for the title.
A win tomorrow night at the AJ Bell would be enough to take Sanderson’s side into the play-off places and put pressure on the fellow chasers, especially Exeter who have a rest this weekend.
On home soil, Sale have been almost unstoppable. Chiefs are the only team to leave the AJ Bell victorious in the league this season. Sanderson’s men will be hoping their positive form in Salford continues, as they aim to pick up yet another bonus point win – as they done against table toppers Leicester Tigers and third placed Harlequins.
Mark McCall’s Saracens travel to a ground they have not won at in their last four attempts. On their return to the top flight, after a title winning season in the Championship, the London side sit comfortably in the top four.
Sarries sit 12 points behind leaders Leicester, but 13 points ahead of Sale in fifth. Saracens have only suffered one defeat in their last six league matches, which came in a highly entertaining 32-30 battle against London Irish.
In the reverse meeting between the two, Saracens claimed victory against their former assistant coach. Sanderson, who was at Sarries for their four titles, could only watch on as his 14-men Sale were beaten 25-14 at the StoneX Stadium.
After trailing 13-0 at the interval, Byron McGuigan was shown red for a dangerous body-slam tackle which left Sharks with too much work. Sean Maitland and Max Malins crossed for Saracens in the second-half, as well as Ben Curry and Raffi Quirke for Sale.
Friday night under the lights ?
? @Manutuilagi set for his return for @SaleSharksRugby
? 3⃣ changes for @Saracens from Round 21
Who will be victorious live on @btsportrugby? ?#SALvSAR Preview >> https://t.co/aMzpmWVuKL#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/ANZNIu9D3Z
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) March 31, 2022
Sanderson has made one change to the starting line-up which drew 24-24 against Bath in the Premiership last time out. Cobus Wiese will start his first league match since the beginning of the month in place of Jean-Luc du Preez in the second row.
Faf de Klerk, who missed a match winning penalty in the closing seconds at the Rec, is part of an unchanged backline. Akker van der Merwe, who has been absent since November with an ankle injury returns to the bench along with: Nick Schonert, Manu Tuilagi and Raffi Quirke.
The visitors have made three player changes and numerous position switches. Eroni Mawi, Tim Swinson and Sean Maitland start in place of Richard Barrington, Jackson Wray and Owen Farrell.
Maro Itoje starts at flanker, Alex Goode at fly-half whilst Elliot Daly converts to fullback. Owen Farrell, who made his first appearance since November in Saracens’ 27-23 win over Bristol Bears last Saturday, will sit tomorrow night’s match out after suffering a setback in his injury recovery.
The last time Saracens were victorious at the AJ Bell was in February 2018. Ben Spencer, who was born close to Sale’s former stadium in Stockport, scored eight points in a 13-3 victory.
However since, Sale have won the last three encounters in which they have scored 24+ points in all. The other meeting between the sides finished in a 15-15 draw.With only three Premiership matches left after tomorrow night’s fixture, a defeat against Saracens could be defining in Sharks’ play-off push.
With Exeter, Gloucester, Northampton Saints and London Irish still in the mix, Sale must ensure they are winning matches themselves.
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]]>Paddy Madden’s brace helped Stockport County extend their lead at the top of the National League to seven points in a comfortable 3-0 win over Notts County at Edgeley Park.
Two days before St Patrick’s Day, an Irishman scored twice to help Stockport take yet another step towards their long awaited return to the Football League.
A goal in either half, and an assist for Ollie Crankshaw’s powerful finish, saw Madden rightfully named Man of the Match in an enjoyable night’s work against promotion hopefuls Notts County.
Madden opened the scoring half an hour in with a perfectly placed header, before setting up Crankshaw for Stockport’s second shortly after the restart. The Hatters’ top scorer then netted his 15th goal of the campaign with 20 minutes remaining, to seal a crucial three points.
Dave Challinor’s side are now unbeaten in 18 in all competitions, and currently find themselves on a seven game winning run. The former Stockport captain, who has completely revolutionised the club since arriving in November, is well on his way to ending the club’s 11 year non-league stay.
The Hatters are also one match away from walking down Wembley Way for the first time since 2008. Stockport defeated Southern League Premier Division Central side Needham Market 3-0 last weekend, to set up a semi-final clash with promotion chasing Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground.
The atmosphere outside Edgeley Park, and then inside was electric from start to finish. After a decade of financial difficulties and relegations as far as the National League North, the troubling clouds are starting to clear.
#StockportCounty aiming to extend their unbeaten run to 18 matches in all comps, as well as widening their lead at the top to seven points. #Notts County will be hoping to move back into the play-offs after a three game winless run in the league, a point would be enough.
— Thomas Anderson (@TAndersonsport) March 15, 2022
The 7,500 home supporters had to wait 30 minutes for the opening goal. Crankshaw’s first time cross into the box was headed into the bottom corner by an unmarked Madden – his first goal in four league matches.
The once capped Republic of Ireland international played a pivotal part in setting up Stockport’s second after 48 minutes. The Hatters charged forward on the counter attack, before Madden turned and released Crankshaw inside the area who unleashed a powerful strike past Jaros at the near post.
Stockport were cruising and they added a third with 20 minutes remaining. Myles Hippolyte’s cut-back narrowly missed Will Collar on the penalty spot, but Madden arrived at the right time on the edge of the box to calmly side foot into the bottom corner.
Defeat in Cheshire leaves Notts County winless in their last five matches – four in the league – which has seen their promotion aspirations derail as a result.
Despite Ian Burchnall’s side sitting a point adrift of the play-off places, Notts County faces tough opponents in promotion-chasing Boreham Wood and Chesterfield in their next three fixtures.
The Magpies, who like Stockport suffered heartbreak in the play-off semi-final last season, will need to significantly improve if they are to trouble an inform Dagenham & Redbridge side who have won their last three league matches without conceding.
On what was a miserable night in the North West, only one Notts County star shone. Had it not been for Liverpool loanee Vitezlav Jaros between the sticks, a more humiliating score line would have been seen.
The Czech produced a fine double save early on to prevent Stockport taking the lead after 10 minutes. Jaros was down quickly to turn Ryan Croasdale’s fierce volley behind, before Crankshaw’s effort was saved by the shot stoppers feet.
Five minutes later and Jaros was called into action one more to deny Collar a second goal in as many league matches. Hippolyte’s back post cross was met with a downward header from the forward, but the Magpies No.13 produced a finger tip save.
Moments before Madden headed Stockport into the lead, Jaros produced the best save of the lot to keep Hippolyte out. The ball fell to the Hatters winger inside the area, but his powerful effort was somehow turned around the post.
In the second half, only a tame shot from Kairo Mitchell called Ben Hinchliffe into action. However, at the opposite end, Jaros continued his impressive performance by using his foot to deny Collar from close range.
Pre-match Burchnall confirmed only a ‘few’ players had trained on Monday, and even with top scorer Kyle Wootton and Jayden Richardson returning from illness, the visitors remained without captain Kyle Cameron and Eli Sam.
After praising an ‘outstanding’ Stockport on a ‘deserved win’, Burchnall highlighted the struggles his squad have faced in order to play at Edgeley Park.
“I will not criticise my players today because I would say more than 50% should not have played through health,” said Burchnall in an interview with Notts County post-match.
“We had players vomiting at half time, it was desperate. I knew it could go like this because I saw the state of training yesterday and how the players were today… they were not in a good state to play.”
The returning Richardson should have given Notts County the lead midway through the half. A sloppy back-pass attempt allowed the wing back to run in one-on-one, and despite taking the ball away from Hinchliffe, Richardson somehow fired over from close range.
Two minutes later and Richardson was in once more after latching onto a perfectly waited through ball. The highly attacking defender took the ball around the Stockport goalkeeper, but after composing himself, could only watch on as his effort deflected agonisingly wide.
Notts County became the latest side to fail at the task of ending Stockport’s unbeaten run. After claiming their first win over the Nottinghamshire side since 2008, the Hatters now sit seven points clear at the top.
With matches against Wealdstone, King’s Lynn Town and Eastleigh to come in the league before their FA Trophy semi-final, Challinor will be hoping his side can continue going full steam ahead to the Football League.
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]]>Stockport County can take one step closer to the Football League when they host play-off hopefuls Notts County at Edgeley Park.
It has been more than a decade since Stockport were relegated from the Football League, but with Dave Challinor’s reign at full steam ahead, an EFL return looks destined come the end of the season.
Even with two matches in hand on second placed Chesterfield, the Hatters sit four points clear at the top of the National League with 13 games remaining.
Stockport were 11 points off the top following a 1-1 draw against Bromley in Challinor’s first league outing. However, after only one defeat, and an unbeaten run of 13 matches in the competition, the North West side look an unbeatable force.
Ben Hinchliffe has been an important figure between the sticks for Stockport. The shot-stopper, who has made over 200 appearances for the club, has only conceded three goals in 11 matches since the turn of the New Year.
In the attacking department, Paddy Madden, Ollie Crankshaw and Will Collar have played a pivotal role in the Hatters being the National League highest scorers.
The trio have scored 29 of Stockport’s 62 league goals, with former Brighton & Hove Albion academy graduate Collar netting five times in 2022.
Aside from the National League, Stockport are one match away from reaching Wembley for the first time since their promotion to League One in 2008.
The Hatters’ 3-0 win at Southern League Premier Division Central side Needham Market at the weekend, saw them advance to the semi-final of the FA Trophy.
We have been drawn to face Wrexham away from home in the semi-finals of the Buildbase FA Trophy, with the tie set to be played on the weekend of Saturday 2nd April.
Full match details for this fixture will be announced in due course.#StockportCounty pic.twitter.com/FQqav5cAPr
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) March 14, 2022
Stockport will travel to promotion hopefuls Wrexham in three weeks, where they will be hoping to go one step further than their heartbreak at this stage when they lost on aggregate to AFC Fylde three seasons ago.
Notts County travel to Edgeley Park without a win in their last four matches. Ian Burchnall’s side were knocked out of the FA Trophy by Wrexham last time out, following a last minute goal from James Jones at Meadow Lane.
The Magpies have drawn their last two league matches against Yeovil Town and play-off challengers Solihull Moors, but three points against Stockport would take them back into the top seven with games in hand on the teams around.
If Stockport are to extend their unbeaten run, they will have to withstand the attacking threat of Ruben Rodrigues and top scorer Kyle Wootton.
Rodrigues, who was named Notts County Player of the Year last season, scored a brace in his side’s 3-3 draw against Moors and he will be hoping to cause havoc once more.
In his pre-match press conference, Burchnall confirmed Wootton is available after recovering from an illness which kept the striker out of the defeat at Wrexham.
However, the County manager also revealed ‘very few’ trained this morning due to feeling unwell. Defender Jayden Richardson will return tomorrow night, but Eli Sam and skipper Kyle Cameron continue to miss out.
In the earlier meeting between the two, the Magpies came out victorious after goals from Wootton and Frank Vincent. Ben Whitfield’s last gasp penalty acted only as a consolation, as Stockport failed to defeat Notts County for a sixth successive match.
Last time against the Hatters!
pic.twitter.com/MO6LgClzhd
— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) March 14, 2022
Tomorrow night’s clash is between two sides who suffered play-off semi-final misery last campaign. After a third placed finish, Stockport were beaten by Challinor’s Hartlepool United whilst the Magpies lost 4-2 in extra-time away at Torquay United.
With the visitors unbeaten against Stockport since 2008 – when the Hatters won 2-1 in League Two – Notts County will be hoping to get their play-off push back on track following a sticky patch.
On the other hand, Stockport will be aiming to end their winless streak against their Nottinghamshire opponents, in order to extend their unbeaten run and continue their march back to the Football League.
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]]>Faf de Klerk starred as Sale Sharks recorded a 26-24 bonus point win over play-off rivals Gloucester at the AJ Bell stadium.
In a nail-biting affair between the two top four hopefuls, which saw each team score four tries, Sale held on to continue their impressive form on home soil.
De Klerk, who opened the scoring for Sharks, scored 11 points – his first of the season – which helped down a resurgent Gloucester side.
The World Cup winning scrum-half was absent for the first five months of the season after sustaining a hip injury during the British and Irish Lions series.
The South African played in the majority of the Rugby Championship, however after aggravating the issue, he was left with ‘no choice’ but to undergo surgery.
De Klerk, who made his first appearance of the season in Sale’s win at Harlequins in February, has rotated starting roles with Raffi Quirke in recent weeks. In the absence of the England youngster, de Klerk shined as he scored and created multiple Sharks tries.
He crossed after five minutes with a fine supporting run for Daniel du Preez who bulldozed his way through Gloucester’s defensive line. However, his side’s inability to maintain their discipline allowed the visitors to take the lead mid-way through the half.
At their first go of defending Gloucester’s driving maul, Sale succeeded. However, on at least three occassions, Alex Sanderson’s side struggled to do so.
Sale looked to have halted the Cherry and Whites’ maul initially, but a quick progression from the south west side allowed Santiago Socino to crash over with George Barton adding the extras.
2⃣ meat ?'s for Santi Socino in the opening 40!#SALvGLO pic.twitter.com/CmljPZr0tB
— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) March 12, 2022
The hosts regained the lead within 10 minutes when AJ MacGinty crossed at the third time of asking. After the ball was released quickly from the maul, Rob du Preez and Ben Curry almost went over, before the USA international bundled across.
Whilst MacGinty received medical treatment on a knock to the knee which eventually forced the fly-half off five minutes before half-time, de Klerk took charge of the kicking duties as he added the extras for 12-7.
Despite George Skivington’s side being defeated in their last two away matches – against Exeter Chiefs and Saracens – they travelled to Salford with the third best record on the road in the Premiership. Three minutes after falling behind, Gloucester responded with their second try of the afternoon.
After de Klerk was penalised for blocking the kick chaser, the Cherry and Whites set up the maul. This time there was no nothing Sharks could do to keep out the drive as Socino directed his way over for his second of the match.
In the earlier meeting between the sides at Kingsholm, Gloucester edged Sale out 33-32. Sharks struck for their third try two minutes before the interval, as the visitors found themselves unable to keep out the monstrous figure of JP du Preez from a quickly taken free kick.
Sale looked to build on their 19-12 half time lead in the opening minute of the second 40, however, de Klerk’s halfway line penalty drifted narrowly wide.
Sanderson’s side extended their advantage six minutes after the restart when Jean-Luc du Preez battled his way through to seal the bonus point.
De Klerk almost set up Du Preez with a skilful backwards offload, but in the next phase his fizzed pass allowed the second rower to charge over from metres out.
With a 26-12 advantage, Sharks controlled play and looked the more likely to score the next try.
However, after a misplaced pass from de Klerk, substitute Charlie Chaplin intercepted the ball on his own try line before sprinting the length of the pitch to reduce the points difference to nine.
The visitors continued to build momentum with the winning of back-to-back penalties which took them 5m out.
The driving maul was quickly formed, but this time Gloucester broke off which allowed Louis Hillman-Cooper to stretch over to score on his Premiership debut. Barton’s conversion narrowed the score line to 26-24.
Despite choosing on numerous occasions to kick to the corner rather than taking three points, Sale held on in the final ten minutes for a crucial five points.
? ????? ??????
The boys hold on at the AJ Bell for another W!
#SALvGLO | @GreystoneWealth pic.twitter.com/YqtCD7QQ6n
— Sale Sharks ? (@SaleSharksRugby) March 12, 2022
Gloucester, who remain only two points off the play-offs following Exeter’s surprise defeat at Worcester Warriors, have now lost their last three away matches.
Sharks’ sixth victory in nine matches in 2022, sees them move four points off the top four. In his post-match interview, Sanderson revealed he was ‘pleased’ with maximum points, but is ‘bittersweet’ about ‘gifting’ Gloucester two points.
Sale’s director of rugby also provided a reasoning for a large number of absentees in the squad, as well as an immediate update on MacGinty:
“We have had some real issues with illness and injuries over the last 10 days,” revealed Sanderson.
“We have had blood tests come back which say we have had flu and that has just ripped through the squad – Lood [de Jager] is still suffering from that.
“On the back off three concussions last week to which none of those came through… but we got the five points and in two weeks time they are all going to be fit and healthy.
[Regarding MacGinty] “There is nothing from the doctors yet but he will have a scan after feeling something in his knee.”
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Sale Sharks will be aiming to get their play-off hopes back on track when they welcome fellow top four chasers Gloucester to the AJ Bell Stadium.
Alex Sanderson’s side had their six match unbeaten run ended by Exeter Chiefs last weekend, as they came from 19 points behind to lose 19-12 at Sandy Park.
After a disappointing start to the campaign, which saw Sharks fall well below their expected table whereabouts, the north west side have since recovered in the New Year to become serious top four contenders.
Sale have won five of their eight Premiership matches in 2022 – two more than they achieved in their first nine outings – in which they recorded back-to-back victories against reigning champions Harlequins and league leaders Leicester Tigers.
Despite injuries and international absentees, Academy graduates Tom Roebuck and Arron Reed have stepped up to the plate in recent months. The wingers, who both start tomorrow afternoon, have each scored six tries in their last eight appearances which has picked up vital points.
Gloucester travel to the AJ Bell off the back of a late 35-30 win against Northampton Saints at Kingsholm last weekend. Having trailed 27-14 on the hour, Louis Rees-Zammit’s wonder score and a penalty try gave the Cherry and Whites a one point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
The perfect offload from @T_Seabz to set away @LouisReesZammit to do what he does best!
Catch up on the highlights now ?
— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) March 6, 2022
Despite Dan Biggar’s penalty extending Northampton’s lead, George Skivington’s side hit back seven minutes before the final whistle through Alex Craig to earn a crucial five points and avoid a third successive defeat.
The South West outfit have the third best away record in the Premiership behind Leicester and Exeter. Even though Gloucester have lost their last two matches on the road – against Tigers and Chiefs – the Cherry and Whites will be hoping to replicate recent victories against Saracens and Newcastle Falcons to continue their top four push.
However, they will have to perform without four players who have been called up to international duty. Chris Harris and Adam Hastings have been named in Scotland’s 23-man squad, whilst Rees-Zammit has been recalled to the Wales bench for their Six Nations fixture against table toppers France in Cardiff tonight.
Giorgi Kveseladze has been named in Georgia’s starting line-up for their Rugby Championship match against Romania. It was announced on Thursday that Georgia have qualified for the 2023 World Cup, after the Rugby World Cup Board decided all Russia’s remaining qualifiers would be abandoned.
Sanderson has named a strong side to face the Cherry and Whites, which includes the return of Ben Curry and Faf de Klerk to the starting line-up. The duo replace Cobus Wiese and Raffi Quirke who are amongst the substitutes.
Sale have provided an injury update on a number of absentees. Akker van der Merwe [ankle], Josh Beaumont [knee] and Simon Hammersley are all expected to return within four weeks, whilst Cameron Neild, who was carried off in the defeat to Chiefs, is likely to only miss this week due to concussion.
Gloucester have made two changes to the side that beat Saints last time out. George Barton starts at fly-half in the absence of Hastings, whilst Lewis Ludlow returns from England duty to captain the team in place of Jack Clement at flanker.
AJ Bell Stadium awaits… ?
? @fafdeklerk starts for @SaleSharksRugby in Round 20
? Two changes for @gloucesterrugby from Round 19
Winner live on #PRTVLIVE? #SALvGLO Preview >> https://t.co/WaQQ3kyhIA#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/jU50jr0XtF
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) March 11, 2022
In recent meetings between the two, Sale edge the upper hand having won six of the last 10 matches. Despite Sharks winning this contest 25-22 at the AJ Bell last season – following a late AJ MacGinty penalty – Gloucester have won twice on their last four visits.
The October fixture at Kingsholm unravelled into a try-fest as Gloucester held on to a 33-32 victory despite a late Sale fightback.
Nine tries were scored between the two, and despite Gloucester leading 33-22 with a minute to go, two quick-fire tries earnt Sale a bonus point – although, Tom Curtis’ missed conversion could have snatched maximum points.
With Sale and Gloucester are separated by five points, the hosts could climb above their visitors if they were to achieve maximum points and keep the Cherry and Whites pointless.
A Gloucester win and defeats for Exeter and London Irish would see Glaws conclude the round in the play-off places, as Skivington’s side sit two points behind Chiefs who are fourth.
However, getting a win away at Sale is something only Exeter have achieved in the last 17 matches. Sharks have won 15 of those games, and are unbeaten in their eight on home soil.
Match referee: Christophe Ridley.
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]]>Women’s Championship runaway leaders Liverpool will be hoping to cause an upset when they host Women’s Super League table-toppers Arsenal in the Women’s FA Cup.
Matt Beard’s side breezed through to the Fifth Round of the competition after winning comfortably against lower league opponents Burnley and Lincoln City, in which the Reds scored 10 goals without reply.
Under the reigns of Beard, who was named the Women’s Super League Manager of the Year in back-to-back seasons when in charge of the Reds during his first spell six years ago, Liverpool have been making strong progress in their task of ending a three-year absence from the WSL.
The Reds sit 10 points clear at the top of the table with only one defeat to their name. London City Lionesses, who are second in the table, are the only side that have beaten the Reds in the league with the victory coming on the opening day of the season at Prenton Park.
Liverpool have won their last seven Championship matches consecutively, with their most recent defeat coming late on away at Tottenham Hotspur in the Quarter-Final of the Continental League Cup in mid-January.
If the hosts are to stand a chance of causing an upset in front of the BBC cameras, they will need to transfer their league prowess into the cup. The Reds have scored the most goals in the Championship this season (33), conceded the least (5) and kept the most clean sheets (11).
Beard, who re-joined the club in the summer after previously managing West Ham, will be hoping key players Leanne Kiernan and Katie Stengel can inspire Liverpool to victory.
Republic of Ireland international Kiernan has been a stand-out performer in Liverpool’s promotion push. Despite not netting in the Reds’ rout of Lincoln in the last round, the forward is the Championship leading scorer after scoring 12 goals in 15 matches.
Alongside Kiernan in the attacking department is January arrival Stengel. In her six appearances for the Reds, the USWNT international, who has made an instant impact since signing from Norwegian side Valerenga, has recorded four goals and three assists.
However, overcoming the most successful side in the competition’s history would be a monumental achievement.
Despite winning 14 of their 17 FA Cup final showings, Arsenal have not lifted the trophy in five seasons. The Gunners had one hand on the trophy when they reached the final last season, however, a Sam Kerr double helped seal a 3-0 win for their title rivals Chelsea under the iconic Wembley arch.
Jonas Eidevall’s side sit two points clear at the top of the WSL as they aim to win their first title in three seasons. In their last outing, which came before an international break, Arsenal picked up a valuable point away at second-placed Chelsea, who have a game in hand on their London counterparts.
Like Liverpool in the Championship, Arsenal have scored the most goals (34) in the Super League. However, one bit of positivity for the lower league side is the Gunners’ goals per game difference at home and away.
At their Meadow Park home, the Gunners’ average goals per game stands at 3.14 after scoring 22 goals in seven games. However, on the road, Arsenal average 1.71 goals per game after scoring 12 in seven.
The Gunners’ Vivianne Miedema, who scored the only goal in Arsenal’s Fourth Round victory over London City Lionesses, has netted eight goals in the WSL so far. The Netherlands international is one goal behind Kerr as she aims to win her third Golden Boot since signing from German champions Bayern Munich.
The meeting between the two league leaders has not been seen since 2020 when Liverpool were last in the top division. Arsenal, as expected, have dominated recent fixtures between the two, winning the last six in a row.
The last time Liverpool picked up a point against Arsenal was in 2017 following a 4-4 draw, with the Reds’ last victory against the Gunners coming back in 2015.
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]]>As the Gallagher Premiership enters its final 10 rounds, the intensifying battle for a top-four finish takes yet another unexpected twist.
With Leicester Tigers 11 points clear at the summit of the table and looking increasingly likely of finishing top for the first time in more than a decade, Saracens seem set to finish in second place on their Premiership return.
Mark McCall’s side looked to have snatched a vital four points at the Brentford Community Stadium when Nick Tompkins spun over with three minutes remaining.
However, Paddy Jackson had the final say as he kicked a last gasp penalty to earn London Irish a surprising 32-30 win.
Victory for Irish moves them two points behind Gloucester who sit fourth, and with the capital-side only three points off their total points from last campaign already, a top-four finish cannot be ruled out with the form Declan Kidney’s men are in.
Round 16 saw a number of play-off hopefuls make their claims with Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks, who are separated by five points, all winning their matches as the battle for the top four continues to intensify.
As the race for the top four intensifies, we take a look at some of the hopefuls.
Harlequins – Third place, 48 points
The reigning champions, who finished fourth in the regular season last campaign, recovered in Round 16 to avoid a fourth consecutive Premiership defeat after their 29-24 victory over Wasps at the Stoop.
During the run of losses, Quins were defeated by Sale Sharks and Saracens as well as suffering a stunning loss at the hands of rock-bottom Bath, a side who had only previously won once all season.
With the Six Nations in full swing, like many of the other play-off chasing teams, Harlequins are without a number of key players for their league fixtures.
Joe Marchant and Marcus Smith have been starters in England’s first two Six Nations matches, however, alongside Louis Lynagh, Marchant has been released ahead of Saturday’s match against Wales.
? BREAKING: Those released from England ahead of the Wales match are:
Alfie Barbeary ?
Jamie Blamire ?
Joe Heyes ?
Joe Launchbury ?
Orlando Bailey ?
George Furbank ?
Louis Lynagh ?
Joe Marchant ?
Raffi Quirke ?
Adam Radwan ?
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) February 22, 2022
With Quins’ next three fixtures against Worcester Warriors, Newcastle Falcons and Bristol Bears, sides who are below them in the table, having Lynagh and Marchant back will be a positive sight for Quins supporters.
Gloucester – Fourth place, 47 points
The Cherry and Whites have recovered well from their worst-ever Premiership finish last campaign [11th], to currently occupy the final play-off place.
George Skivington’s side, who had their rest week during Round 16, have a game in hand on Harlequins. If Gloucester were to claim a bonus-point win from this fixture, they would leapfrog the Twickenham-based side and move two points behind Saracens.
Defeat to Exeter last time out ended a run of three consecutive wins for Gloucester, which included a one-point victory against Saracens as Alex Lozowski failed to convert a match-winning kick in the closing stages.
However, if Gloucester are to finish in the play-offs for the second time in the last decade, their next three matches against Leicester, Northampton and Sale are vital in determining their chances.
Exeter Chiefs – Fifth place, 45 points
The Chiefs, who were favourites to be crowned champions last season, ended up losing out in one of the best ever Premiership finals as they were beaten 40-38 by Harlequins at Twickenham.
Rob Baxter’s side started their pursuit of a third Premiership title in the worst way possible as they lost their two opening matches before recovering with three straight wins.
Exeter’s inconsistent performances have continued into the New Year with the Devon-based side winning three and losing three of their last six league matches.
With a number of key players away on Six Nations duty, such as Stuart Hogg and Luke Cowan-Dickie, the Chiefs must be careful not fall behind other chasing sides especially with their next opponents being Saints and Sharks.
London Irish – Sixth place, 45 points
In a season full of unexpected results, Irish pulled another rabbit out the hat victory last weekend when they defeated five-time Premiership champions Saracens.
? You can’t beat a last-gasp victory in a London derby, can you?
Re-live all the moments from another classic at the BCS! ?#LIRvSAR highlights ?https://t.co/XhFYFBZET9 pic.twitter.com/zdGxwnNujf
— London Irish (@londonirish) February 21, 2022
Having already completed the double over last season’s runners-up Exeter, the Exiles stunned Sarries in their last outing to continue their adventitious aspirations of breaking into the top four.
With Premiership top try Agustin Creevy [9] and former Ireland international Jackson the third-highest points scorer [125] behind George Ford [148] and Lozowski [163], Irish will be aiming to build on their momentum with a third successive victory against Sale on Friday night.
Irish will be hoping they can outpace a number of strong runners and finish in the top four for the first time in 13 years when they finished runners-up to Leicester.
Sale Sharks – Seventh place, 43 points
After finishing in the top four for the first time in 15 years last season, Sale were fancied by many to improve this campaign. However, after a rocky start which saw the Sharks win two from seven, reassessments were made.
In recent weeks though, the Northwest side have become serious play-off contenders after winning four consecutive matches against Leicester, Harlequins, Worcester and Northampton.
With scrum-halfs Raffi Quirke and Faf de Klerk back pulling the strings, and winger Arron Reed scoring tries for fun, Sale are the most in-form team in the league over the last five matches after picking up 19 points.
????? ?? ??? ???… ?
This lad just keeps on pulling it out the bag!! ?
Between Reedy and Roebuck our wingers look unstoppable right now! – All thanks to @SaleSharksAcad ?#NORvSAL | @ao pic.twitter.com/tryv1kgw0m
— Sale Sharks ? (@SaleSharksRugby) February 21, 2022
Sale’s next three matches are season-defining as they face London Irish, Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester in a row, and if Sanderson’s side can make points on their rivals, it could be their place to lose from the final seven rounds.
Wasps – Eighth place, 43 points
The West Midlands-based side are level on points with Sale but a place lower based on their points difference.
After starting the New Year off with a defeat against Sharks, Wasps went on a four-match winning run which was ended by Harlequins over the weekend.
During those fixtures, Lee Blackett’s side became the first team to defeat Leicester when they overcame the Tigers 16-13 at the Ricoh Arena, after recovering from being six points behind at the break.
Wasps have finished in the play-off places in four of the last six seasons, however, they have not been crowned champions since their success in 2008.
With four points to make up on Gloucester in fourth, Wasps have an ideal set of fixtures as they face strugglers Bristol and Newcastle within their next three matches so now is the perfect time to make their move.
Northampton Saints – Ninth place, 41 points
Despite being five league positions off the top four, Saints are still well and truly in the play-off chase.
With a game in hand on five of the six teams above them, and with Northampton seven points behind Quins, a bonus point victory would take Chris Boyd’s side to fifth in the table.
After a promising start to the season, which saw the Saints win four of their first five matches, Northampton have declined since the turning of the New Year.
Northampton have lost eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions, which includes back-to-back Premiership matches against the league leaders and fellow top-four hopefuls Sale in a closely contested one-point defeat at Franklin’s Gardens.
If Saints are to keep up with the rest of the pack, they must start winning. Northampton host Exeter on Sunday, and if the men in Black, Green and Gold are not victorious, it will be a monumental achievement if they were to recover and finish in the top four.
With 10 Rounds of Premiership Rugby to go, and an intensifying battle for the play-offs unfolding, expect many more unexpected twists.
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
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]]>Stockport County manager Dave Challinor said his 10-man County side earned an ‘important three points’ in their 1-0 win over Woking at Edgeley Park.
Ashley Palmer’s 72nd-minute header was enough to earn three vital points for the Hatters, who had to play most of the second half with 10 men after Liam Hogan’s perplexing red card.
A strong tackle from Stockport’s Will Collar sparked a coming together between both sets of players in front of the dugouts, and after a lengthy discussion with his officials, the County midfielder and Woking’s Louie Annesley were shown yellow by referee Matthew Dicicco.
Then, to almost everyone’s disbelief inside the stadium, the referee brandished a red card to the Stockport captain for the use of violent conduct during the commotion.
When asked about the incident post-match, Challinor revealed he was unable to speak to the officials as they had already left and that the club will wait till the report is shown on Monday.
The red card unorthodoxly worked in Stockport’s favour as they were injected with a new lease of life. The winner came in the final 20 minutes when Ryan Rydel’s corner was met at the back post by Palmer, who climbed highest to direct his header into the bottom corner.
Since Challinor took over in November, the Hatters have been revolutionised. Having scored 11 goals in 12 league matches under Simon Rusk, County have since netted 43 times in 17 matches. Their recent 4-1 win away at Altrincham acts as the prime example of the free-flowing, attacking football the expected champions aim to play.
However, against Woking, Stockport were forced to dig deep to overcome the struggling Surrey-based side. In the first half, the hosts found themselves flooded with pressure, but even when down to 10 men, County stood firm to prevent the Cardinals from leaving with a point.
The unity within Stockport is robust, with supporters starting to firmly believe their long overdue return to the Football League is forthcoming. When asked about the strength of the squad’s mentality, Challinor was straightforward in his response.
“If the mentality is not strong now, it never will be. If we are going to achieve anything this season we need to be all in which in the first half I did not think we were.
“You have to be able to win in different ways tactically based on certain games and conditions, and in football you have to openly adapt to win matches which we done today to claim an important three points.”
Five minutes after Hogan’s dismissal, Challinor made a game-changing double substitution which saw Elliot Newby and Ollie Crankshaw introduced. The duo put Woking’s defence under a mass amount of pressure and they eventually caved in.
Crankshaw had the opportunity to double Stockport’s advantage in the closing minutes, however, Craig Ross first produced a fine save to deny the former Bradford City man before he reacted quickly to keep out Paddy Madden’s effort.
“We had to make a choice at the time whether a point would be a good result or if we wanted three. You have to roll the dice to win matches,” said Challinor when asked about the substitution.
“We made a choice to put people on that would challenge and the two done that really effectively. It got us up the pitch, we were able to exert pressure and we got a goal from a set-piece which is something we have worked really hard on.”
This man… ?#StockportCounty pic.twitter.com/Fs2shK5NGL
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) February 19, 2022
Despite a strong showing for large parts at Edgeley Park, Woking’s winless run extends to five. Alan Dowson’s men were the better team in the first half and they worried Stockport on numerous occasions from set-pieces.
With Moussa Diarra the assigned target man, County struggled to cope with the size of the centre back whose knock-down almost resulted in the visitors taking the lead five minutes before the interval.
A loose ball fell kindly to Rohan Ince inside the six-yard box, and despite staying composed in creating a shooting chance, the midfielder fired his effort into the side-netting at a tight angle.
In the second half though, Stockport improved their response to Woking’s threats. Ryan Johnson, who was in charge of marking Diarra, provided a delicate but vital touch to take the ball off the awaiting centre back inside the final 10 minutes.
“They are a big team with three centre backs who are all around the 6ft3 mark – in comparison, we are small so that was always going to be a threat,” said Challinor.
“We had to make sure we minimised the opportunities they had, and in the first half, I do not think we did that well enough. In the second half we were different and I felt we dealt with the deliveries really well.”
Despite Ryan Croasdale being named County’s Man of the Match, Ben Hinchliffe put in a strong performance between the sticks as he kept his 12th clean sheet of the season.
The shot-stopper produced a fantastic save in the first half to deny Inih Effiong. The striker, who scored twice against Southend United in Woking’s previous game, turned well on the edge of the box before unleashing a looping effort which was tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper.
Hinchliffe was called into action moments after County took the lead to turn substitute Jack Roles’ strike behind for a corner. After a neat exchange inside the area, the ball was laid off to the midfielder whose goal-bound effort was tipped around the post.
Victory for Stockport means they are now unbeaten in 14 matches, and following Chesterfield’s 3-2 defeat at home to Solihull Moors, the Hatters find themselves six points clear at the top of the National League.
County host relegation-strugglers Weymouth at Edgeley Park next weekend and Challinor expressed the importance of the match in building momentum for the rest of the season.
“We do not know how many wins or points it will take for us to achieve success however that is measured, but every win we get takes us one step closer to where we want to be.
“It is important now the three points today help us continue building our momentum ahead of next Saturday in what we hope will be in front of another big crowd.”
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]]>Stockport County will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run and widen the gap at the top of the National League table when they host Woking at Edgeley Park on Saturday.
When Stockport dismissed Simon Rusk at the end of October, the Hatters were 10th in the table and 12 points behind Grimsby Town who at the time led the way. Fast forward four months, and with Dave Challinor’s reign in full throttle, Stockport find themselves three points clear at the top and unbeaten in 13 games.
Challinor broke Stockport County supporters’ hearts last season when his Hartlepool United side, who went on to gain promotion to League Two, defeated County in the play-off semi-final at Edgeley Park. However, the former Stockport defender looks set to end the club’s 11-year absence from the Football League.
A week after the Hatters’ last showing in League Two, which ended in a 1-1 draw against Cheltenham Town, Challinor, against the odds, led Colwyn Bay to victory in the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier Division play-off final over FC United of Manchester, the first of six pieces of managerial silverware he has to his name.
Since his return to Edgeley Park, the 46-year-old has completely transformed Stockport. In the 21 matches County have played under Challinor, only two teams have managed to defeat the Hatters, Torquay United in the league and League One table-toppers Rotherham United in the Second Round of the FA Cup.
Edgeley Park has become a fortress in Stockport’s push for promotion. With yet another bumper crowd expected through the turnstiles on Saturday, County will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run on home soil to 11 games. The last side to beat the Hatters at home were Barnet, which turned out to be Rusk’s final games in charge.
One area Stockport have vastly improved in since Challinor took over is the final third. Under Rusk, who on Thursday was appointed Dundee FC’s new assistant manager, County only scored 11 league goals in 12 matches. In an astounding turn of form under their new boss, the Hatters have scored 42 in 16 games, averaging 2.6 goals per game.
At the opposite end of the pitch, Stockport have been strong defensively since the turn of the year. Challinor’s men have kept seven clean sheets in their 10 outings in 2022 and they were denied an eighth by a late Bromley consolation goal in the Hatters’ 3-1 victory on Tuesday night.
Paddy Madden, who is Stockport’s top scorer this season, scored league goals number 12 and 13 in Southeast London that evening. The Irishman, who signed from League One side Fleetwood Town just under a year ago, has reignited his goal-scoring form under Challinor, with the number nine netting seven times in his last 10 appearances.
Woke up thinking about that Paddy Madden strike ?
The Irishman's 1️⃣5️⃣th goal of the season on Tuesday night was something special!#StockportCounty pic.twitter.com/uE7mnG6Zan
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) February 17, 2022
Aside from the National League, Stockport have made strong progress in cup competitions. Earlier in the season, County knocked League One Bolton Wanderers out of the FA Cup on a special night under the Edgeley Park lights.
The Hatters will travel to Southern League Premier Central outfit Needham Market in the Quarter-Final of the FA Trophy as they find themselves two matches away from a first Wembley visit since 2008.
Woking travel to Stockport without a win in five but with history on their side. In their four matches at Edgeley Park, the Cardinals stand unbeaten against County with an equal number of wins and draws. However, Alan Dowson’s side have not recorded a win over the Hatters in their last four meetings.
Since the departure of top scorer Tahvon Campbell [13] to Rochdale for an undisclosed fee, Woking have not won in the three matches without the forward. However, Inih Effiong has stepped up to the plate. The striker, who has 10 goals to his name this season, scored a brace in Woking’s 3-2 loss at Southend United last time out.
Against a Stockport side who have scored the most goals [58] in the league this season, it will be a monumental achievement for centre backs Moussa Diarra and Gibraltarian international Louie Annesley to keep out County’s forwards. The Cardinals have only kept one clean sheet in their last 13 matches, which came in a 2-0 home win against 10-men Wealdstone.
With Woking currently 11 points above the drop zone, and with a game in hand on Weymouth, Dowson and his coaching staff, which includes iconic commentator Martin Tyler, will be hoping to ease any relegation fears with an unexpected three points on Saturday.
The Surrey-based side sit 15th in the table on 32 points, although a win would only see them leapfrog Eastleigh who are a point ahead of them.
Having played a match more than second-placed Chesterfield and four more than Boreham Wood who are six points behind the Hatters, it is important Stockport keep their eyes on the prize.
Against a side that arrive as significant underdogs, County must overcome history if they are to extend their unbeaten run and widen their lead at the top of the National League table.
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
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]]>Ben Youngs equalled the England Men’s appearance record in Sunday’s 33-0 victory over Italy in Rome, but should Eddie Jones have rewarded Raffi Quirke with minutes in the Six Nations?
After a disappointing 20-17 defeat to Scotland in the opening round of the Six Nations, it was vital England bounced back against a side they have never lost against.
Jones’ men remained professional in the Italian capital, scoring five tries and claiming a bonus-point ahead of their crunch clash with Wales at Twickenham in two weeks time.
Jack Nowell started his first England match in 1065 days, however, the winger’s return to international action ended within 10 minutes after he failed a Head Injury Assessment. The England medical team and referee have come under fire for initially allowing Nowell to continue before his withdrawal minutes later.
Shortly after the Exeter Chiefs man’s departure, the Red Roses found the breakthrough. A neat one-two between Max Malins and the impressive Marcus Smith set up the fly-half to score his second try in as many weeks.
Saracens’ Jamie George scored twice before the interval to give England a comfortable 21-0 lead at half-time. The first, a typical forward’s drive over the line from close range, but for his second, the hooker showed winger like speed to race clear down the right before finishing in the corner under pressure.
Smith, who scored all the points in England’s defeat to Scotland, turned provider when his perfectly weighted pass allowed Elliot Daily to run clear in the corner. With England 28-points ahead after four second half minutes, Jones turned to his bench.
With half-an-hour to go, Youngs was brought on for cap No.114 – the joint record number of caps for a male player alongside Jason Leonard. It must be noted that Rochelle Clark’s 137 caps for England Women’s team makes her the most capped player in England international history, but nevertheless, Youngs is on the verge of setting England Men’s history in the home of English rugby.
Milestone ?@benyoungs09 joins Jason Leonard as England's most capped men's player ???????
Congratulations on an incredible achievement Ben ??? pic.twitter.com/mLKMINW7HQ
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 13, 2022
The Leicester Tigers scrum-half has had his critics as of late. Former England utility back Austin Healey has publicly criticised Jones for his selection of Youngs, in which he questioned if the head coach had ‘forgotten the nature of opportunity.’
Supporters have been vocal as well on social media on the decision. Against a side who have lost all 29 of their fixtures against England, and who have finished bottom of the table 16 times in the last 21 championships, many wanted Jones to reward Quirke with minutes over an experienced figure who came on with the score line 28-0.
England held onto their clean sheet in the second-half whilst adding a fifth try in the closing stages. Bristol’s Kyle Sinckler was in support of teammate Malins to crash over underneath the posts. The win in Rome sees England sit second in the table ahead of Round 3, three points behind leaders France who have won two from two.
Sale Sharks’ Tom Curry captained England for the second-week running in the absence of Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes. However, there was no place again in the matchday squad for youngsters Quirke and Bevan Rodd.
Like Smith, Quirke has burst onto the scene at club level and been rewarded with early international opportunities. The scrum-half announced himself when he came off the bench to score a crucial try in England’s 27-26 victory over world champions South Africa at Twickenham only three months ago.
Quirke’s omission from the squad is not down to experience as substitute scrum-half Harry Randall had only made two appearances – the same as Quirke – for the senior team before being handed his first Six Nations start. The Sharks no.9 has scored four tries in eight matches for the north west side this season, whilst Randall has scored one in 11 for Bristol Bears.
England’s loss is Sharks’ gain. With Faf de Klerk back available from injury, Alex Sanderson has the master and apprentice at his peril. Former Sale director of rugby, Steve Diamond, felt the full effect of this on his return to the AJ Bell, as his Worcester Warriors side were heavily beaten 36-12.
AJ MacGinty shined once again for Sharks, as his days at the AJ Bell continue to fall. The USA international worked his magic once more in the pick of the tries, as he effortlessly cut through the Warriors line before dinking the ball over the top for the inform Arron Reed to pick up and dive over.
AJ carving it up ?
The @SaleSharksRugby fly-half pulled the strings in usual fashion for Arron Reed to get his first of two ?
Catch the highlights show on @ITVRugby tonight at 11:45pm ? pic.twitter.com/CY0tciltPT
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) February 13, 2022
It was a first Premiership start of the season for de Klerk, although it was a rocky first-half for the South African. His attempted clearance was charged down which allowed Warriors a second try. However, in the second-half, he showed his quality. His delicate pass set up the onrushing Manu Tuilagi who charged over from metres out.
Quirke was introduced for the final half-an-hour, and he certainly left his mark. The youngster’s quickly taken penalty allowed Cameron Neild, to rather unorthodoxly, kick in behind the Warriors defence to Reed for his second try. Quirke then turned provider when his weaving run and pass fell into the hands of Rohan Janse van Rensburg who ran in Sale’s sixth try of the match.
Sharks have now won three back-to-back Premiership matches for the first time this season. For most of the campaign they have been perfuming well below expectations, however, after a positive start to the new year, which has seen Sale only defeated once in the league, Sanderson’s side sit four points behind Harlequins in fourth.
With de Klerk and Quirke, along with Manu Tuilagi offering a powerful boost to the back-line, breaking into the top four now seems an achievable feat.
Quirke and Rodd will re-join the England camp in preparation for the visit of the reigning champions in a fortnight. The duo though will be at Sanderson’s disposal this weekend. Sale travel to Northampton Saints on Saturday as they look to leapfrog the East Midlands side in the table, and dependent on results, Sharks could see themselves in the play-off places by the end of the evening.
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