A family feud

4:36pm Friday 4th July 2008

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SHARKS preseason preparations will end with a healthy dose of sibling rivalry.

In their final warm-up game before the start of the Guinness Premiership season director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre will take on brother Raphael's when Lyon visit Edgeley Park.

The French Pro D2 side, who are coached by the younger Saint-Andre, provide the opposition on Thursday August 28, 10 days before the Premiership's big kick off.

A centre during his playing days, Raphael has never hit the heights of his elder sibling, although he enjoyed a relatively successful career, during which he played at US Romans, alongside his brother at AS Montferrand, as well as Gloucester and Lyon.

He has coached Lyon since June 2007 and led them to a fourth-place finish in Pro D2 before being beaten by Mont de Marsan in the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs.

Prior to the visit of Lyon, Sharks kick off their preseason schedule when they travel to France to take part in the Challenge Vaquerin.

The summer tournament sees them take on Pro D1 semi-finalists Perpignan at St Affrique on August 6 before they meet last season's European Challenge Cup opponents Montpellier at Camares on August 9.

Following their return to England, the club will take part in a friendly double-header at Edgeley Park on Friday August 22.

First up on the evening will be the Jets, who take on Sedgeley Park at 6.30pm, before the first team face Leeds Carnegie at 8pm.

The Yorkshire side, who were relegated from the Premiership last season, have begun planning for a swift return to the top flight by appointing World Cup winner Neil Back as director of rugby and have also signed twin-code international Henry Paul from Harlequins Rugby League.

Saint-Andre believes the preseason campaign will provide a stern challenge for his side. He said: "The Challenge Vaquerin will be very tough for us but will help the players in their preparation for the new season.

"The double-header on Friday August 22 will give me the opportunity to look at all my players in action on the same evening.

"It will also give us the opportunity to learn and put into practice the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs).

"Places are up for grabs for the new season and it should be a great night for the supporters too."

Both the Sedgeley Park/Leeds Carnegie double-header and the game against Lyon are included in the Sharks season ticket package for the new season.

Full August preseason programme

Wednesday 6 - Perpignan, Challenge Vaquerin (A) 7pm

Saturday 9 - Montpellier, Challenge Vaquerin (A) 7pm

Friday 22 - Sedgley Tigers, friendly double-header (H) 6.30pm

Friday 22 - Leeds Carnegie, friendly double-header (H) 8pm

Thursday 28 - Lyon (H) 7.45pm