Steve Diamond: Sale Sharks 'in running' for Premiership title

Director of rugby Steve Diamond believes Sale have the ability to win the Premiership title if they secure a place in the play-offs.

The Sharks, who next host Northampton in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, lie fifth, four points below Bath.

Asked if they could win both competitions, Diamond said: "Definitely. We're in the running.

"Once you're in the play-offs, if you can get there, it's a different competition. Anyone can win that."

Sale are one of the form teams in the Premiership having beaten Northampton and Bath in their last two league outings.

And only one of their remaining four opponents - Leicester Tigers - occupy a spot in the top four.

This season has been a huge contrast to last term, when the Sharks struggled against relegation for much of the campaign.

"The ingredients were always here [to be successful]," Diamond told BBC North West Tonight. "It just wasn't clicking 12 months ago.

"A bit of steady management and some good leadership on and off the field has seen us come through that depressing time.

"The club has never been kicking around at the bottom like it was last year, and hopefully with the lads coming through the academy and the players playing like they are, we won't be there again."