Taylor looks ahead to Sharks' 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.

𝗣𝗪𝗥𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 👊

See Tysh Harper and the rest of the team at our double header this weekend at The Salford Community Stadium vs @tigerswomens

📆 Sun 1st Dec
⏰ 12pm
🎟️ https://t.co/3K7gEglFE0@thepwr | #NorthernRugbyMatters pic.twitter.com/DqWFy26ixE

— Sale Sharks Women (@SaleSharksWomen) November 28, 2024

“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 squad) 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 2021having 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, going down 29-19 following an impressive display which saw four players named in the PWR Team of the Week.

The best of the best 💥

Our Team of the Week for Round Seven shows the stars that rose to the occasion 💪 #PWR #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/10gOX848PE

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) November 27, 2024

Taylor’s focus is on a consistent week of training as her side look to thrive on any added pressure that may come with running out at Salford Community Stadium.

“That pressure almost builds naturally without us adding anything to it.

“It can be a bit of an energy sapper at times.

“But to have a team like Exeter, who we know have that level of physicality, before Tigers is really important to make sure that we can try and match that.”

The midfield battle is set to be particularly intriguing, with Meg Jones – who made her first Tigers start of the season last weekend – set to line up against Italy ace Beatrice Rigoni.

“Some of the stuff that Leicester put out against some of the bigger teams, they’ve looked really dangerous,” she said.

“They’ve got a few superstars, as have we. It will be a great game to watch.”