THE hunters are about to become the hunted as Sale Sharks look to defend their Guinness Premiership title.

And leader of the pack Philippe Saint-Andre is confident his charges can once again take on the best in England and come out on top.

The Sharks are now the team to beat as they prepare for the new season, with Leicester Tigers first up to try and topple the champions, and gain revenge for losing out in the final.

Director of rugby Saint-Andre said: éIt will be a tough season for us. The other teams in the Premiership will be out to beat us, in particular Leicester in the first game of the season.

éExpectations will be high, but the team is confident and there is a strong team spirit in the camp.

éWe have managed to keep hold of our key players and have made some good signings to help strengthen the squad. We also have a number of talented youngsters who are now a year older, and I am very excited about the prospect of them pushing for a place in the first team.

éCompetition for places is high, but we have a lot of rugby to play and we need a strong squad.

Challenge

éWe are looking forward to the challenge.é

The Sharks have been working on their fitness for the first few weeks of the summer, and will add the final touches when they soon embark on a tour of France where they will take on Perpignan, Beziers and Biarritz.

Saint-Andre added: éThe games in France will be very good preparation for the new season. It is never easy to play French sides over there, and it will be a tough tour.

éWhen we come back we will play Edinburgh at Edgeley Park, and then the season gets underway.é

As well as challenging again for the Premiership title, Sharks are one of the top seeds in the Heineken Cup, but if they want to qualify they must first take on Neath Swansea Ospreys, Stade Francais and Calvisano of Italy.

The Sale boss said: éThere is no such thing as an easy group in the Heineken Cup. I think the game against Stade Francais will be played at the Parc des Princes in front of a possible 50,000 fans.

éOspreys are a top side and Calvisano should not be underestimated.

éWe learned a lot from last yearés competition, and hopefully we can improve on our position this season.é

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