Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks are a men's rugby club founded in 1861 who play in the Gallagher Premiership (Tier 1). Their home ground is Salford Community Stadium, which holds 12,000.
Last updated May 2026
Key facts
| Founded | 1861 |
|---|---|
| League | Gallagher Premiership |
| Tier | Tier 1 |
| Head coach | Alex Sanderson |
| Home ground | Salford Community Stadium |
| Capacity | 12,000 |
| Nearest station | Manchester Piccadilly |
| Local derby | Newcastle Red Bulls |
| Marquee fixture | Northern Derby vs Newcastle Red Bulls |
| Matchday pub | Tap and Tackle - on-site bar East stand |
| Official website | https://www.salesharks.com |
Honours
- Premiership champions in 2006
Club history
Sale Football Club was founded in 1861 making it one of the oldest open rugby clubs in the world.
The club's 1865 Minute Book containing ten rules is thought to be the world's oldest existing rugby rule book.
The Sharks nickname was adopted in 1999 five years after promotion to the top division.
Sale won the 2006 Premiership title with a 45-20 final win over Leicester Tigers under former France captain Philippe Saint-André.
Sale moved from Edgeley Park to the Salford Community Stadium in 2012 sharing the venue with the city's rugby league club, then known as Salford City Reds.
Recent seasons
Sale Sharks confirmed Manu Tuilagi's departure to Top 14 side Bayonne at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Sale finished third in the 2024-25 Premiership regular season under Alex Sanderson.
Ben Curry was Sale's captain in 2024-25 and headlined a club-record four players in the Premiership Team of the Season.
George Ford signed a new three-year contract extension in October 2025 keeping him at Sale until at least 2029.
Notable players
Club legends
- Jason Robinson
- Mark Cueto
- Charlie Hodgson
- Philippe Saint-Andre
- Sebastien Chabal
- Steve Hanley
Current squad
- George Ford
- Tom Curry
- Ben Curry
- Tom Roebuck
- Bevan Rodd
- Luke Cowan-Dickie
Turning Sale Sharks footage into insight
Every match Sale Sharks play holds a goldmine of detail. Framesports turns rugby footage into the analytics that actually matter and data that builds smarter game plans, collected by analysts and checked by humans. See how it works on the Framesports features page.
Frequently asked questions
When were Sale Sharks founded?
Sale Sharks were founded in 1861.
Where do Sale Sharks play?
Sale Sharks play at Salford Community Stadium, which holds 12,000. The nearest station is Manchester Piccadilly.
What league do Sale Sharks play in?
Sale Sharks compete in the Gallagher Premiership, tier 1 of English rugby's league structure.
What have Sale Sharks won?
Sale Sharks's honours include Premiership champions in 2006.
Who are Sale Sharks's local rivals?
Sale Sharks's local derby is against Newcastle Red Bulls.
Who is the Sale Sharks head coach?
Sale Sharks are coached by Alex Sanderson.
Other Gallagher Premiership clubs
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