'Doesn't get any better' - Manu Tuilagi says Sale Sharks must approach Saracens clash like 'there's no tomorrow'

Manu Tuilagi says Sale Sharks have to treat their high-stakes Gallagher Premiership closer against Saracens “as a final” and embrace it as the kind of match “you want to play as a kid.”

Sale moved into the play-off spots with a 31-22 win over Leicester Tigers on Friday night, live on TNT Sports, but still face a nerve-shredding end to the regular season.

The winner of Sarries’ clash with in-form Bristol Bears on Saturday will leapfrog the Sharks, while if Harlequins beat Exeter Chiefs too, Sale will end up in fifth place going into the final round.

Sale travel to the StoneX Stadium for a grandstand clash with Saracens on Saturday, May 18, a repeat of last season’s final that could end up as a straight shoot-out for a top-four finish.

“Coming up to the business end of the season it’s more about being fresh and the little details that we have to tweak,” Tuilagi told TNT Sports.

“But it’s a huge game, away to the champions. It doesn’t get any better than that, that’s what you want.

“Those are the games you want to play as a kid. And now it’s here. We have to embrace it and enjoy it most of all.”

Quizzed on the prospect of the game essentially being a play-off quarter-final, Tuilagi went even bigger.

“We have to treat it as a final,” he responded.

“There’s no tomorrow after that, so we have to make sure our stuff is good like today. I know Saracens are going to come for it.”

Tuilagi was in fine form as Sale scored four tries in a comfortable bonus-point victory over Leicester that extended their league winning run to four games.

It was an impressive showing on an emotional day at the AJ Bell Stadium, where Tuilagi said goodbye to the Sale fans in his final home appearance before his summer switch to French side Bayonne.

“I’ve loved it here. Four years and it seems like I only came yesterday,” he said.

“It’s been home for me and my two boys were born here so I’ve got two little northerners.

“It was all good emotions today and we used it the right way. We didn’t go overboard with it, it was perfect.”

The emotions Tuilagi felt were nothing compared to Sam James, who is leaving Sale at the end of the season, the club he has served for more than a decade.

James, who used to serve as a ballboy at Sale, put in a Player of the Match performance in his final home game as he scored one try and set up another.

Tuilagi hailed the versatile back and paid tribute to his talent, with James’ next destination yet to be decided.

“He’s an absolute legend of the club. It couldn’t be more fitting for a bloke to go out on a high here, to get man of the match,” Tuilagi said.

“There’s no one who deserves that more than Sam James. It’s an honour that I’ve got to play with him.

“I’m watching him every day at training thinking ‘how is he doing that?’ He’s one of the most skilful players you’ve ever seen. I’m so lucky to see that every day.”

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