SALE Sharks are gearing up for their final home game of the season determined to give their long-suffering fans something to cheer about.

Ravaged by injury, they have failed in their quest to defend the title they won back in May, failed to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup and were knocked out of the EDF Energy Cup by Leicester in the semi-finals.

At the start of the season these were all considered achievable targets, but now Sharks will settle for Guinness Premiership survival.

On Friday, against Bath, Sharks are due to bid farewell to skipper Jason Robinson and a sell-out is expected.

Director of Rugby, Philippe Saint-Andre is determined to finish the season strongly.

Expectations

He said: "We had high expectations and started well but with all our injuries we have not been able to continue this.

"It would be nice to win on Friday. The fans deserve it and we will work hard for it."

Skipper Robinson will be playing his 533rd top flight game as a professional in both codes against the club where he started his Rugby Union career in 1996 when a relaxation in the law meant he was allowed to play Union on a short-term contract in the Rugby League off season.

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