Graham Steadman takes role with Sale
Scotland defence coach Graham Steadman has signed a two-day per week deal with Sale.
Steadman will link up with Sale boss Mike Brewer and the other coaches at the club. His main role will be as an assistant to Brewer but he can take a hands on approach with Sale's defensive players.
This is a sensible move by Sale. The side has not started the season with the organisation and impact the club expected. Steadman has been brought in swiftly with the intention of solidifying Sale's back
line.
Sale have not started the season in the way the club expects. The side sits sixth in the table and has conceded 46 points in two games. This is a massive number of points and Steadman should help to limit
the mistakes over the next few weeks.
Steadman said: "I worked very well with Mike during his spell working as forwards coach with the Scottish Rugby Union
and when he got the Sale position he asked me if I could come down and do some work with him on the defensive side of things.
The way the arrangement works is that I'm very flexible. I can invariably do two days a week working with the Sale."
There are many different positives to this arrangement that should benefit the club. However, a number of pundits will suggest that two-days per week is not enough time to have a big impact.
A positive move
Steadman and Brewer have experience of working with each other. Brewer was Scotland's attacking coach while Steadman was in charge of the Scottish defence. This shows the pair have a mutual respect and
understanding of each other.
Steadman is one of the best defensive coaches in the United Kingdom. He is experienced and effective enough to have an impact during the limited time he will work at Sale. It would have been naive if Sale
had tried to get him to leave his role with Scotland.
Big limitations
There will be pundits in the game that say it's counter productive to sign a coach who is working with a national side. This is because the responsibilities and job attached
to that national side will always take priority over a domestic club.
Steadman's association with Scotland could limit the work he does at Sale. He may have very good ideas for Sale players but will have to wait five days at a time before
he can do more work at the Premiership club.
He added: "My work remit is obviously a full-time position with Scotland and
that takes priority but, in-between that, the fact that I can work things around to do two days a week with Sale helps me as part of my own development too.
The good thing is that both Andy [Robinson] and Graham [Lowe] up in Scotland, who are my direct bosses, were very supportive."
Betting advice
The Sale defence has looked vulnerable during the first two games of the Premiership season. Be wary of backing the side until all of the new players at the club have gelled
more.
Steadman should have some impact on Sale's defence. He may find it frustrating that it takes him more time to get across his ideas. However, Sale will start to concede
fewer points and this will mean more wins.
Monitor how the side plays over the next few weeks. If you see a positive reaction in the defensive part of Sale's team then back the side to make the top four by the end
of the season. The team now has a very good defensive mind to organise a number of talented players.
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