IT has been a decade since Worcester Warriors last returned home victorious from Sale Sharks.

Twelve points from the boot of Matt Jones and a Netani Talei try proved to be the difference that day as Worcester won 17-9 at Edgeley Park.

Since then Sharks have beaten Worcester in nine straight meetings on home turf including a 58-25 victory at the AJ Bell Stadium last term.

But director of rugby Alan Solomons has dismissed Warriors’ sorry record at Sale as irrelevant as they make the trip to Greater Manchester tomorrow (3pm).

Instead, Solomons chose to highlight his team’s 6-5 victory over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park in February.

That memorable triumph ended a 14-year wait for a win at Exeter.

Last season also saw Warriors defeat Leicester Tigers for the first time at Welford Road.

“Of course (it has been a long time),” said Solomons on Worcester’s last success at Sale.

“But I suppose I didn’t know what the record was at Exeter when we last won there.

“For me what has happened in the past does not have relevance to the future.

“I believe that you have got to play the game that is in front of you without reference to the past.

“Not everyone played in those previous games because they are different teams with maybe different players.

“But we know they are a good side, particularly at home.

“They are a good, all-round team with pace out wide.”

Solomons believes Sale’s sorry 51-23 loss at Harlequins last weekend will also provide Steve Diamond’s men with extra fuel to succeed on Sunday.

“They are coming off the back of having a game that perhaps didn’t quite work out for them so they are going to be really up for this,” he said.

“It is going to present a different challenge for us.”

On Warriors’ 21-20 loss against Wasps, Solomons added: “We know that was a good performance from us and we will take that into the Sale game.

“But there are no easy games in the Premiership and Sale are smarting after losing last week.”