Depth is critical. While Newcastle’s champions cup wins are a real feather in the cap, they count for nothing if they come at the cost of league performances. Their squad is strong in some areas (notably the back row) but pretty threadbare in others.
Depth is also a problem for Sale. You could argue that Ashton wasn’t really needed (before Yarde’s injury) and they could/should have invested in the tight 5. Their first choice pack is pretty good, but their second choice is a significant drop-off in quality. I know you could say that about most sides to a degree, but at Sale it’s a bit more extreme. A couple of injuries and they’re in the mix.