It's game week for the Ospreys, which can only mean one thing, Ones to Watch.
From a defensive dynamo to a "young Faf de Klerk", take a look below to find out more about some of Sale's standouts.
Jean-Luc Du Preez
Jean-Luc is one of three Du Preez brothers that play for Sale. A South African international, Du Preez made his debut for the Springboks in 2016 and has made 14 appearances in total.
A utility forward, Du Preez starts at eight on Saturday, but was named at lock in The Guardian’s 22/23 Premiership Team of the Season. Within the article, they also referred to him as “one of those 4x4 vehicles that show their true value when the going gets tough”, which is probably as accurate a metaphor that you’ll see.
The vicious 6’4” ball carrier, expect Sale to utilise him as a weapon to break the gain line.
Ben Curry
Captain for Sale, Curry is a nuisance at the breakdown and an all-round defensive dynamo. For those who like statements backed up by stats, Ben was one of just five players to win over five turnovers during the pool stages of this season’s Investec Champions Cup.
Ben’s twin brother, Tom, has often had the limelight, which has often made Ben the unsung hero of Sale’s recent successes.
Raffi Quirke
Whilst being a nominee for one of the coolest names in rugby, Quirke is a little bit more than that. Despite still being relatively young in his rugby career, Quirke (now 22) made his senior England debut in 2021 against Australia in their autumn series.
Quirke is an out and out athlete, in fact he was a triathlete up until the age of 13 before choosing to focus on rugby.
A quality box kicker and game manager, Alex Sanderson once compared Quirke to a young Faf de Klerk. High praise indeed.
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