IT'S feeding time for Sale Sharks and the players are showing the biggest hunger of them all.

The strongest squad seen at Heywood Road in many years means that there is intense competition for first team places, and it is a problem head coach Jim Mallinder is more than happy with.

Speaking after Friday night's 46-3 victory over Scottish Borders in the club's final warm-up game of the season, he said, "This time last season, we would have been in dire trouble if we had been witout Iain Fullarton and Scott Lines, as we were in this game.

"But Chris Jones and Dean Schofield have come through so well that they now put Iain and Scott under pressure.

"We have a similar situation in the front row, where Barrie Stewart and Jim Thorp played very well. That in turn puts pressure on Kevin Yates and Stuart Turner to peform and is a scenario that has been rather lacking at Heywood Road in recent times," added Mallinder.

"Mark Cueto and Steve Hanley are playing well on the wings but Anthony Elliott is looking good so, once again, there is competition for places."

Sharks kick off their season against Northampton Saints on Friday night, with Mallinder relishing the challenge.

"Northampton are one of the sides to look out for this season. They have recruited well and it promises to be a great opener to the Zurich Premiership season."

Full-back Jason Robinson said, "Hopefully we will have a big crowd for the game. Northampton were one of the form teams at the end of last season and like ourselves will be looking to get off to a winning start."

Apart from a slight knock to Mel Deane - suffered in the Borders match - the Parker Pen European Shield winners should be at full strength for the visit of Wayne Smith's men.

Ins and outs at Heywood Road this summer have seen Saracens' Nick Walshe, Jim Thorp (Rotherham) and John Roddam (NEC Harlequins) arrive at the club, while Edinburgh's Barrie Stewart, who was on trial with Sharks last season, has been confirmed as a signing.

Meanwhile, players who have left Sharks and the clubs they have gone to are as follows; Adam Black (Ebbw Vale, Les Bone, Jim Bramhall, Steve Davidson (Manchester), Paul Devlin (Widnes Rl), Alan Dickens, Mark Giacheri (Connaught), Bernard Jackman (Leinster), Rowen Shepherd (retired), Andy Whittle (Manchester).