SALE Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond insists their final five matches will shape their season as they push for a top-six finish.

The AJ Bell Stadium side entertain Gloucester at home on Sunday afternoon, keen for revenge after their 34-27 loss to the Kingsholm side in September.

Even though Sale occupy seventh spot in the Aviva Premiership while Gloucester lie in ninth – six points behind – Diamond insists they are taking nothing for granted.

He said: “In the last game we were winning at half-time then got hammered in the second half.

“But we’re a different kettle of fish nowadays and a changed team from what we were at the beginning of the season. It bodes well for a great game.

“These are all pivotal games as the league is so close that you have got to win your home matches and if you do that then hopefully you can make it to the top six.”

Danny Cipriani is among those who return from international duty after being a substitute for England in the nail-biting final Six Nations encounter with France, where they finished runner-up in the title race.

The talented fly-half stole the show at Kingsholm last season with a personal tally of 12 points and Diamond will be wanting more of the same from the 27-year-old.

He said: “We are expecting Gloucester to bring their normal powerful game with tall wingers, a great pack of forwards and an intelligent scrum-half in Greg Laidlaw and fly-half James Hook so it is a tough game.

“They have had so many management changes over the past few years and need some consistency and they seem to be having that with David Humphreys in charge.”

The Cherry and Whites produced one of their best performances of the season before the international break when they drew 33-33 with league leaders Northampton Saints.