How things stand in Pool 1 of the Investec Champions Cup with two rounds remaining.
The top four in each six-team pool progress to the last 16 of Europe’s premier club competition, with the fifth-placed team dropping down to the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Pool 1 resembles a club sandwich, with the Glasgow Warriors well in front, Clermont bringing up the rear, and everyone else – including the Sharks – tightly squashed in the middle.
While Glasgow sit on 10 points, only a point separates the next four teams. Saracens, Toulouse and the Sale Sharks all have six points and are separated by points difference only, while JP Pietersen’s side sit a point further back in fifth.
The Sharks travel to Manchester to take on Sale in what is shaping up to be a crucial encounter to determine pool standings. The Durbanites are also hampered by a massive 48 points difference between themselves and Sale in the fourth and final playoff spot.
There’s only room for one shark in this tank
The Battle of the Sharks—this Saturday. On our territory.
Limited seats available – https://t.co/3vYxkdQ3iZ pic.twitter.com/fFAOrTisFn
— Sale Sharks
(@SaleSharksRugby) January 5, 2026
The Sharks finish their pool campaign with a home fixture against winless and pointless Clermont.
WATCH: JP motivated by Sharks ‘upward curve’
Since early December, Sale have beaten Clermont in the Champions Cup and struggling Harlequins in the English Premiership. However, they have suffered losses to Glasgow, Northampton and Bristol in the two competitions.
The Sharks began the Champions Cup with a 56-19 hammering at the hands of Toulouse – John Plumtree’s last match in charge – before bouncing back to beat Saracens 28-23 at Kings Park in Pietersen’s first outing as interim head coach.
The Sharks will look to put Saturday’s heart-breaking Vodacom URC loss to the Lions at Kings Park behind them as they head Manchester and near artic conditions.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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