THERE may be a bit of sibling rivalry on Saturday at the AJ Bell Stadium as Sale Sharks back-row Mark Easter could go head-to-head again with his brother ex-England international Nick Easter.

Despite another chance to meet in a competitive game again, Easter admits he is focused along with his Sharks team-mates on helping Steve Diamond's side come back from a shock 25-23 defeat to London Irish a fortnight ago.

He said: "We are targetting the home games to get as many wins as possible to get as high up the table as possible.

"At the start of the season, the top six was our target and we have to do everything we can to get there.

"In the last few years we have tried to make the AJ Bell Stadium a bit of fortress and we feel we have done well against the top four sides there.

"We feel right at home there and can be a match for anyone."

Harlequins lie eighth in the table – five points adrift of Saturday's opponents which is also the same tally between the Sharks and Wasps in sixth spot.

Easter added: "The league is so competitive.

"Quins are going to be disappointed with their position and they usually come good before the end of the season.

"We just need to get some consistency in our rugby.

"Every game has got to count for something and they all are mini-finals until the end of the season."

Meanwhile, the Sharks will join Aviva Premiership Rugby rivals Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons in a Kings of the North tournament to launch the new domestic season in September.

With the start to the league campaign delayed by the hosting of rugby’s World Cup in England, the three most northerly clubs in domestic top-flight competition will contest the new tournament on their respective home grounds.

Sale Sharks are still in the chase of a place in next season’s European Champions Cup and director of rugby Steve Diamond said: “Club rugby is built on rivalries and we look forward to contesting the title of Kings of the North with Leicester and Newcastle. All three teams will be fine-tuning their work ahead of the start of the league season and there should be some good contests home and away.”

Fixtures: September 5/6: Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks, September 12/13: Sale Sharks v Leicester Tigers, October 3/4: Sale Sharks v Newcastle Falcons

and October 10/11: Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks