Saturday’s game is going to be very tough one, but by all accounts the boys played well to win down at The Stoop last weekend, 13 playing 16 at one point :-), so I think we're hitting our straps at just the right time

Irish, beaten Heineken Cup semi finalists, will be playing for their place at European rugby’s top table next season and their form in that competition has shown what a good side they are. They’ve always had a reputation for playing open running rugby in the backs (sound familiar?!) but in the last two seasons have added some grunt and nous up front - most notably in the bearded and dishevelled form of Faan Rautenbach, with David Paice along side him in the front row looking good for a place on the plane when England head off to New Zealand next month. The Irish could have a number of others on that plane too - it'll be an outrage if Nick Kennedy doesn’t get the call up, he’s been the stand out lineout operator in England for two or three seasons now, forming a formidable partnership with captain Bob Casey, and this season has improved his all round game. Behind the pack Paul Hodgeson has been getting some rave reviews and his battle with Richard Wigglesworth, the incumbent England number 9, should be an interesting one.

Shane Geraghty is another who could, and should, be on England’s summer tour. The question still remains as to whether 10 or 12 is his best position. Personally I see him as a 12 for his country, but in either position he’s a danger. His break in the dying minutes of the Heineken Cup semi set up a nail biting finale and nearly won it for the Irish. His defensive capabilities will surely be put to the test by Luke McAlister and he could be in for a torrid afternoon if Luke is on fire as he has been.

Then there’s the Irish back three of Tagicakibau, Ojo and Hewat. Hewat looks solid defensively and nerveless when kicking at goal and Tagicakibau and Ojo can create tries out of nothing. Both have pace to burn and a wicked step and are a real threat when ever they get the ball in hand. Their tries in the Heineken Cup semi show just how dangerous they can be.

As always possession is they key, we need to secure our own line out and try and disrupt them at the break down. The front row battle is going to be tight but I'd have us to just edge that and also win more at the break down. We need to stop their backs getting the ball because if they do they'll be running at us from all over the park and if they get it out wide to Topsy or Silosi we could be in for an interesting afternoon.

But, with Tam and Sea Bass back on form, Charlie pulling the strings and Big Mac making holes in any mid field he finds in his way, I think we've got enough firepower at our disposal to take them on and win. With all the mention of the Irish wings and their abilities, let’s not forget about Ben Foden. His form at full back has been a revelation this season and if he is to leave Sale in the summer I'm sure he'll want to leave the fans with something to remember him by in what could be his last home game for the club.

Wasps winning at Newcastle in the mid week fixture means that 2nd place, and a home semi, is beyond us. But our destiny is still in our own hands and this is a must win game. If we lose we could get leap frogged by the winner of Leicester v Quins, if we win we're in the play-offs, probably facing a daunting trip to the South West.

With it looking like the summer may be on its way and the ground hardening up for Saturday’s game, we could be in for a veritable feast of open attacking running rugby from two of the Premierships most exciting teams. To all intents and purposes this match is a quarter final for Sale and I expect them to turn on the style and win in front of a packed and passionate Edgley Park

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