Mathie backs Newcastle to survive
January 28, 2012 11:28:47 UK
Despite being northern rivals, Sale Sharks' scrum-half Scott Mathie hopes the Newcastle Falcons can avoid relegation this season.
The sides go head-to-head tomorrow in an LV=Cup encounter which will provide brief respite for the ailing Falcons. The Falcons are 1.90 to win while the Sharks are at 1.90.
Although battle lines will be drawn on Sunday and during the league encounter on 30th March, Mathie, who has also played for Leeds Carnegie, believes Newcastle must survive for the development of the northern game.
You want to see a Premiership that represents every area, from the north to the south.
Scott Mathie
"I think (it's important they avoid relegation). I've only ever stayed up north and I like it up here, just generally, and I know a few of the boys who play at Newcastle," he said.
"You want to see a Premiership that represents every area, from the north to the south, so I would like to see them stay up."
Even though the Falcons' potential demise could ultimately affect the number of players plying their trade for a rugby union side, it could also be to the advantage of Sale.
And Mathie insists that the Sharks are starting to believe in their ability.
"There's such great potential up north and I think this group is starting to realise that, we're starting to see that there's great potential to be a really big club.
"I think it shows something different about this team than last year, that they can come back, they can lose with a really devastating result and stand up and dust themselves off, and go and win the next weekend."
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