Saint-Andre - No season like it

Bates proud of Falcons' commitment

Last updated: 20th April 2008

Sale Sharks director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre

Saint-Andre: Quins will be tough

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Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre insists his side remain on track for a Guinness Premiership play-off berth after the bonus-point victory over Newcastle.

The Sharks are up to fifth place and will claim a play-off appearance with victory in their last two games away at Harlequins and at home to London Irish.

Saint-Andre, who singled out full-back Ben Foden for special praise, said: "We've got 59 points and we're fifth so we've just got to keep going and beat Harlequins and London Irish the following week.

"We could have players back for next week - the likes of Jason White and Sebastien Chabal - but it will be a tough game at Harlequins.

"The Guinness Premiership is so tight this year but it's very exciting as well and I've never known a season like it."

Foden, meanwhile, has agreed to join newly-promoted Northampton for next season but Saint-Andre backed him to earn a call-up to the England squad for the summer tour of New Zealand.

Saint-Andre added: "He was the best player on the pitch and he deserves to go on the summer tour of New Zealand with England."

Defiant

After the Falcons' seventh successive league defeat, a defiant acting director of rugby Steve Bates said: "Apart from a few daft mistakes in the first half I thought we put up a really spirited effort.

"I'm really proud of the lads in terms of the commitment they showed.

"You look at their pack and we knew it was always going to be a tough game, but I was generally pleased with the effort.

"Some of the stuff we did was very pleasing and it was far from dispiriting."