Aviva Premiership
Sharks furious at Edgeley Park jibe
ESPNscrum Staff
April 20, 2011
A general view of Edgeley Park, Sale Sharks v Gloucester, Guinness Premiership, Edgeley Park, Stockport, England, September 26, 2008
Exeter chief Tony Rowe has criticised the facilities at Edgeley Park © Getty Images
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Sale Sharks' executive director of sport Steve Diamond has reacted angrily to criticism of the club's Edgeley Park ground by Exeter chief executive Tony Rowe.

The sides are set for a Good Friday clash at the Stockport ground and Rowe was quoted recently as saying he was not looking forward to 'sitting in a tired old stadium where you've got to hold your nose when you go to the toilet'.

A Sale victory would confirm their Premiership status for another season and Diamond believes that Rowe's comments have given his side extra motivation.

"To be honest I've never heard of Tony Rowe but his comments have just helped me with my team's motivation for the game," he said. "He can't flatter himself and think that Exeter are that powerful that they can come up with those expectations.

"The Exeter coach, Rob Baxter, has done a brilliant job but he has been let down by his chief executive who has said the wrong things at the wrong time, having had less than one year's experience of the Premiership and having spent the previous 15 years trying to get here.

"There's no drama to us and the toilets don't smell in our changing rooms. Exeter have done very well on the field this year and I don't think their success should be taken away by a stupid comment from a guy whom, until this week, I had never heard of."

Sale have Dwayne Peel and Andrew Sheridan fit again and available to start against the Chiefs, who on Wednesday announced contract extensions for Chad Slade, Bryan Rennie and Junior Poluleuligaga.

"Andrew has only played once for Sale Sharks in the last three months because of his England duties and injury," Diamond said. "He has now recovered from his calf tear sustained whilst playing for England and is really looking forward to the game. Dwayne sustained a bang to the head at Northampton but he, too, is ready for action."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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