Sale Sharks gained promotion to English rugby's top division in 1994 and experienced highs and lows before consolidating their position as one of the strongest teams in the Premiership.

The Sharks initially struggled after the game turned professional and it was not until late in the 1999-2000 season, with the club flirting with relegation, that their financial future was secured by businessman Brian Kennedy.

In 2002, under the guidance of coaches Jim Mallinder and Steve Diamond and after finishing 11th in the previous two seasons, Sale finished runners-up in the Premiership and won the Parker Pen Shield.

New signings such as Scotland captain Bryan Redpath and former rugby league icon Jason Robinson joined the ranks and, mixed with home-grown players like Mark Cueto and Charlie Hodgson, helped propel the club further forward.

Sale reached two Twickenham finals in 2004, but lost in both the Powergen Cup final and the Premiership wild-card play-off final.

Former Gloucester coach Philippe Saint-Andre was named director of rugby for the start of the 2004-05 season and the Sharks finished third in the Premiership before winning the European Challenge Cup by beating Pau in the final.

The 2005-06 campaign was a historic one for Sale as they became the first club to top the League and go on to win the play-off final.

Sale have since failed to win a trophy and in December 2008 it was announced that Saint-Andre would step down and be succeeded by Kingsley Jones, with Jason Robinson taking over as head coach for the 2009-10 season.