HAVING manned the ship at Sale Sharks for nine years as director of rugby, 'old flame' and now Worcester boss Steve Diamond' will make his highly-anticipated return to the AJ Bell this weekend.

The Sale media team used the phrase 'old flame, new rivalry' in their sales pitch to pack the stands out for Diamond's special guest appearance as his Worcester side look to cause an upset up north.

The Warriors have not won an away game in the league since a 40-25 win against London Irish back in September 2020 and last season went a whole campaign without a road victory.

So with the odds stacked against his side, how does Diamond fancy his chances of a result on Saturday?

"We have got a lot to do," he admitted.

"Going up to Manchester as a rival or old flame, as Sale are describing me, is something different to what I’m used to.

"It’s a new experience but it’s something that I am looking forward to.

"I suppose it’s a bit like a divorce. Of the last 30 years I was there for 26 of them. Some divorces end nicely and some don’t!

"I was fortunate that mine ended in an amicable way. When divorces end in an amicable way then you get invited back into the house now and again.

"Sale have got a younger model looking after them and Worcester have picked me up, an old lag. We will see over the next two or three years who has got the best deal won’t we?"

Whilst he is very much focussed on his new side this weekend, Diamond looks back on his time at Sale with fondness.

"Sale’s squad, their position and basis behind the scenes took a long time to build," he added.

"A lot of people were involved in that and they deserve a lot of credit. I was a figurehead for a long time.

"But you move on to pastures new and I’m excited about what we are trying to do at Worcester over the next few years."