Sharks For Sale entered sir alex ferguson‘s respected motivational powers, Gallagher Premier League against the final Saracens.
The former Manchester United manager visited Sale’s Carrington training base on Tuesday to address the team.
Ferguson oversaw two Champions League victories and 13 Premier League titles during an extraordinary and long term as United boss.
And the 81-year-old Scot is Sale’s latest keynote speaker after rugby league great Jamie Peacock spoke to the players before their playoff victory against Leicester earlier this month.
Sale reached their first Premiership final since 2006, when they won the title at the expense of the Tigers and were inspired by the likes of Jason Robinson, Charlie Hodgson and Sebastien Chabal.
The Saracens await at Twickenham on Saturday and the top-ranked teams go head-to-head after the regular Premiership season.
When asked how Ferguson’s visit came about, Sale rugby director Alex Sanderson joked: “We have a special Man United red phone like a bat phone in the corner of the office for emergencies.
“No, I got a call from Ged (Ged Mason, Owner of Sales) asking about this and it just fell into place. Good friends with joint investments in racehorses.
“We thought we’d try snatching some gold from Sir Alex – and he didn’t disappoint.
“He cornered the youth and gave really good advice – nothing new, but when it came out of Sir Alex’s mouth, that’s good news, right?
“Small percentages of what you can add is a heightened sense of how special this week is. It was nice to see him among us and to have him in our corner.”
Sales coach Alex Sanderson invited Alex Ferguson to speak with the team.
(PA Wire)
Sales center Manu Tuilagi was inspired by Ferguson when he was invited to speak with the team by then-England boss Eddie Jones ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Tuilagi said, “It was incredible to see him again. We met him just before the World Cup in 2019. He is a world legend.
“He said a few words and gave us some wisdom to make use of the weekend. He’s on top of his game, he knows what he’s doing.
“You learn from people like that who have been out there and have done it.”
And Sales No. 8 Jono Ross, who played his last game before retiring on Saturday, added: “Frankly a few of us, including me, admire Sir Alex, but he’s a great guy and it was really nice to get little bits and boobs from him.
“It’s pretty special for someone this size to walk into the building, and as you can imagine, the kids clung to his every word.
“He has accomplished so much in the play and the way he speaks that you turn your head and listen.
“Sir Alex mentioned a few things that worked for him. He said he definitely remembers losses more than wins, so basically don’t lose!”
Ben Curry will miss the final due to injury
(Getty Images)
Meanwhile, sales captain Ben Curry was due to undergo surgery Tuesday after suffering a serious hamstring injury during the playoff game.
“He has to be back in time for the World Cup to start, but in this form,” Sanderson said.
“He would do all the preparations and none of the entries, so it would be entirely on the shoulders of (England head coach) Steve Borthwick to see if it was appropriate to be included.
“He (Curry) has been very involved – he’s getting good luck messages from the Man United players. He’s optimistic even though he will miss the World Cup and the (Prime Minister’s) final.”
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