Sale flanker Ben Curry has revealed “really brutal” talks between players led to the club’s surprise Gallagher Premiership play-off run.
The Sharks will travel to Bath in the semi-finals after a stunning win at Saracens to end the regular season on an impressive five-game winning streak.
Sale have been in unexpected form as they have lost six consecutive games, but it has brought out harsh truths among the playing squad.
Curry acknowledged that some meetings created an “awkward” atmosphere in camp, but things have since gone the other way.
He told the PA news agency: “It was after Bath (a 42-24 defeat in March). We took things to the next level when we had a player meeting and it was absolutely brutal. The young people were calling each other and I think it’s always a little awkward at first, but it’s not what we expect.
fixture
Gallagher Premiership
tub
sale
“The atmosphere was awkward at first. We weren’t all best mates at first. But it comes from a good place. We set the standard at the beginning of the year.
“But slowly, after six losses, you start to think, ‘Our standards have slipped and it’s hard to pinpoint where it happened.’ “It was a little awkward in the locker room, but it helped in the end.”
Sale went into the Six Nations break with five defeats on the spin before losing 42-24 to Bath, sparking a crunch meeting.
A crushing 41-5 win over Exeter the following weekend seemed to have flipped the switch for the Sale camp and the results snowballed as they unexpectedly snatched a play-off spot.
Curry added: “The Six Nations break comes at a good time for us.
“When you lose a third time, it sticks in the back of your mind, and when you get four, five, six, it’s a real bummer. It shows how strong the spirit is in terms of the sport that it can turn into a snowball either way.
“There was a proper feeling that the players had to take responsibility for their rugby and we have definitely gone up to another level in our standards. I am very proud of those young men.”
Curry has done his part with two tries in the last four games and the England international is proud of his performances this season despite not having the smoothest year.
He said: “I really enjoyed playing rugby this year. I came into the season with a hamstring injury, then came back and was very proud to be part of the Six Nations team.
“It didn’t go well at first. He was sidelined due to injury and lost six games in a row. Looking back, it was an incredible season with quite a few negatives.
“It has been a season that has tested my resilience to get to this point, but I am very proud of myself. It wasn’t perfect and maybe it was an opportunity to learn more about myself.”
