IF Sale Sharks thought things couldn't get any worse, they didn't bank on the vagaries of the Guinness Premiership fixture calendar.

Still reeling from a horrific run of six defeats in their last seven outings - including four on the bounce at Edgeley Park - the stuttering Sharks must visit the home of champions Wasps on Sunday as they look to stop the rot.

Once again, the toxic combination of international call-ups and long-term injuries will hamper Sale's selection options.

But unlike last Friday's catastrophic 17-9 reversal at home to Worcester, they will at least feel there is some semblance of parity with Wasps also being deluged by a raft of international absentees.

Indeed, while Sale's fortunes have fallen off a cliff after an unbeaten opening four-game run, Ian McGeechan's men have endured an even deeper crisis of confidence after recording just one win from their first six league fixtures.

Pedigree

But there is still no arguing with their pedigree as the kings of English rugby and, conversely, Sale head coach Kingsley Jones feels such a test is just what the toothless Sharks need.

"It's not good to be in the situation we are having to go to Wasps but the one good thing is that there will be no question of complacency against them, and indeed Leicester who we play the week after," Jones said.

"The one good thing is that at least Wasps and Leicester are in a similar situation to us in terms of losing players to international call-ups.

"We need to do everything we can and try to get an away win at Adams Park. It's a massive ask but it's what we really need. Last week against Worcester we lacked power and physicality up-front, but more than that our territorial kicking was poor and we seemed to play the whole game in our 22."

The thorny subject of how much the glut of autumn internationals impacts on star- studded squads such as Sale and Wasps has provoked wide debate within the game.

Jones doesn't want to use it as an excuse for the Sharks' problems, although he added: "When you lose the likes of Lee Thomas, Luke McAlister, Chris Jones and Sean Cox through injury on top of your international selections, that's where you really get hit."

Will Sale beat Wasps? Have your say.



Tweet