Sharks in Europe 2014-15

By Whaley Shark
February 1 2015

Played 6, Won 0, Drawn 0, Lost 6, Points for 82, Points against 196 Points difference -114, Tries for 8, Tries against 22, Try bonus 0, Losing bonus 2, Total Points 2

That’s not a very pretty record is it? Surely Steve Diamond should be ‘considering his position’ and the players should be ashamed to be seen in the street? Or maybe not?

The reality is that, with three of last year’s Heineken semi-finalists in our Group, it was always going to be an absolute miracle if we progressed. Our group ended up providing two of the qualifiers this year and saw Munster, with their immense European pedigree, going out.

It was certainly interesting to see three of Europe’s top sides at the AJB, playing seriously competitive rugby. As an observer, I felt the intensity and precision of these sides was a bit above our normal AP fare, and it showed in the scorelines. My lasting impressions of them were- Saracens, a fine AP side who did exactly what it said on the tin; Munster- always with players conveniently ‘stuck’ in a ruck, just when we really needed quick ball, and Clermont, always, always, getting over the gain line, even if only by a foot or two.

So what of our performances? Well, we couldn’t quite close it out against Munster at home, and their greater composure and that last gasp drop goal sent them back home with four points. We were never competitive away in France and then lost a tight home match against Saracens. By that time, it was very clear the moracle wasn’t going to happen but, the following week, we gave Saracens a decent game at Allianz Park before being ultimately outclassed. With nothing but pride to play for, we made Clermont earn their four points on a filthy evening at the AJB, and we finished the campaign sending out a fairly inexperienced side at Thomond Park, were they held it together for the first half of a nothing match, before the wheels came off, as they were always likely to.

And was it worth doing? Definitely- it shows us where we need to get to, and also that, actually, we aren’t a million miles away. While the stats may make is look like we took on the role of the Italian whipping boys in the group, we were more competitive than that, and showed we could live with the big boys of European rugby, just not for 80 minutes. We just lack that little bit extra needed to take a victory, and that’s a fair reflection of where we are as a side. Hopefully, we’ll get another bite at the European cherry next season and see a few signings and re-signings over the next few weeks which will let us make a better go of it. Oh, and a kinder draw would be nice as well.