Chiefs aware of Sharks threat

By Mark Stevens
27/2/19

Exeter Chiefs will be looking to further cement their push for a place in this season's Gallagher Premiership play-offs when they travel to rivals Sale Sharks on Saturday (3pm).

Rob Baxter's side regained pole position in the standings last weekend, leapfrogging defending champions Saracens, after the Chiefs won 35-17 at home to lowly Newcastle Falcons and the Londoners lost 30-24 away to Gloucester.

Those results mean the Chiefs are now four points clear at the summit after 14 rounds of competition, but they will face one of their toughest tests of the season so far at the AJ Bell Stadium against a star-studded Sharks outfit.

Sale's only defeat in their last seven Premiership fixtures was by a margin of 50 points at Northampton on February 16, while they have won their last four home games in the top flight.

The Chiefs, however, have always proved tough opponents for Steve Diamond's side, losing just one of their last eight fixtures against the Sharks. That came in February 2016, when the Manchester-based club won 23-17 that day.

Referee for this weekend's game is Ian Tempest, who takes charge of his 56th Premiership game and he will be assisted by Adam Leal & Jonathan Healy. The TV match official for the game is Stuart Terheege.