This Friday evening, 19th November (KO 7.45pm) Sale Sharks are looking to reclaim their place at the top of the Zurich Premiership table with victory over a resurgent NEC Harlequins side.

The fantastic success of Sale Sharks this season has seen the club post record attendance figures with average gates up 20% on this time last year, and season tickets sales up 30%.

Friday night rugby has become established as a 'must see' event in the region's sporting calendar, with an atmosphere to rival the best grounds in the country. And the club are looking for another big gate on Friday - tickets are still available by calling the box office on 08712-220120 or on line at www.salesharks.com.

Captain of England and Sale Sharks Jason Robinson is convinced the crowds have played an important part in the team's title challenge so far - "The players now run out at Edgeley park sensing the crowd's passion for Sharks and their expectation of victory. Against Newcastle the noise in the second half inspired us to one of our best performances of the season."

He went on to appeal for more sell-outs as the season enters the vital next phase - starting with Friday nights clash against Harlequins. "It is a massive game for us, coming between two very tough away fixtures at Bath and Gloucester - it is essential that we win the game to ensure we go into the second half of the season in the top few places of the league."

"We really need every Sale Sharks fan to ensure they are at the ground on Friday evening, providing the most intimidating atmosphere possible for Harlequins - a big noisy crowd behind us is like having an extra man at times so we need you to be there."

The Sharks' loss at Bath ended a four match winning run in all competitions. Sale have however lost only one of the last ten matches they have played at Edgeley Park - 16-17 to London Irish on 8 October.

'Quins 40-10 win at home to Saracens saw them achieve a try bonus point in record time and was in fact the first try bonus they had accrued since they did so against Rotherham at the Stoop last April. Harlequins have not won away from home in the Premiership since a visit to Newcastle on 4 January.

Harlequins have not beaten Sale in their last six meetings in the Premiership, although they did draw 27-all at Stockport last season. The Londoners last win over the Sharks in the competition was 36-10 at the Stoop in March 2001.

Harlequins smashed the record for the quickest ever try bonus point in Premiership history when, at home to Saracens on Friday night, they scored their 4th try in just the 14th minute, thereby taking a massive five minutes off the previous best when Bath scored a try bonus in 19 minutes against Rotherham in April 2001. Quins first try after just 11 seconds was scored by former Sale Sharks Centre Mel Deane.