Groom wants Saints to sort out away form at Sale

Groom and Co have only been victorious in three of their eight away matches in the Aviva Premiership this season.

They have won at Bristol, Worcester and Newcastle, but have not tasted victory in a league game at Sale since November, 2012.

A trip to the AJ Bell Stadium will be a new experience for Groom, who joined Saints from Super Rugby side the Stormers last summer.

And he is hoping he can help secure a long-awaited league win in Salford.

"We've come unstuck on the road this year and wherever you play in this competition you're up against good teams with passionate fans," Groom said.

"I'm sure Sale will be no different.

"Their home form shows how tough they will be and it's a huge challenge for us on Friday night."

Saints had lost back-to-back away games, at Bath and Newcastle Falcons, before beating Worcester Warriors 24-14 at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

It was a fifth successive home win for Jim Mallinder's men, who were made to work hard for the four points that took them back into the top six.

And Groom said: "Worcester were a niggly side and we let them in with penalties, which meant we couldn't get our momentum and it was an arm wrestle, which we didn't want.

"We were frustrated leaving the field but we're happy we got the win."