Club profile: Sale

Stuart Pinkerton (r) has joined from New South Wales

Sale's lack of strength up front last term saw them finish the season third from bottom, but after some canny summer signings, they could find this season somewhat easier.

The plan will surely be to provide as much ball as possible to their star Lion, Jason Robinson, who will be eager to add to his reputation as one of the most dangerous attackers in world rugby.

With that in mind, the team's ball winning capabilities should be much improved by the presence of two players with Super 12 experience.

Former England prop Kevin Yates, joins the club after a stint with the Wellington Hurricanes and backrower Stu Pinkerton, a try scorer against the Lions during the summer, arrives from New South Wales Waratahs in Australia.

The squad still might lack consistency in terms of results this season, but with an entertainer of Robinson's calibre on show, they will certainly be worth watching.

Facts and figures:

Ground: Heywood Road
Coaches: Jim Mallinder and Steve Diamond
Captain: Bryan Redpath
Last season: 10th

Players in: Kevin Yates (Wellington), Stuart Pinkerton (New South Wales), Rowen Shepherd (Glasgow), James Bramhall (Northampton), Iain Fullerton (Edinburgh), Stuart Turner (Rotherham), Les Bone (Pau), Alan Dickens (Manchester), Dean Schofield (Aldwinians), Karl Long (Widnes RL), Mark Giacheri (Brive).

Players out: Jon Thiel (Bridgend), Matt Moore (Harlequins), Duncan Bell (Pontypridd), Rob Appleyard (Cardiff), Dave Baldwin (Fylde), Guy Manson-Bishop (Leicester), Nikki Little (Dax), Joe Clark (Bridgend), Neil Fletcher (Birmingham/Solihull), Paul Knight (Birmingham/Solihull), Phil Winstanley (Orrell), Andy Morris (retired), Paul Smith (retired).