My friend dying, that's a problem, a 30-year-old with a family It puts it in perspective.'BARNES versus Andrew. 'Welsh club rugby is said to be having problems, but I don't see them. In his homeland, no doubt, too - another Welshman gone north to the principality's loss.Turner, who won three caps in 1989, however, can summon little sympathy for the national side as his emotions extend instead towards Steve Healey, his old half-back partner at Newbridge, who died in a building accident 18 days ago. Success has been moderate to date, but the style has won its admirers. And Tony Faulkner at Newport, who taught me about discipline and professionalism in the amateur way.'The product is channelled into his proteges at Sale who, he believes, will survive in League One only by innovation: always running the ball close to the opposition with plenty of dummy runners, like the Wallabies or many rugby league teams. The John Dawes, JPR, John Taylor type side.' His most influential coaches? 'Keith Westwood at Newbridge: freedom of expression was his mark.

The side that has influenced him most? 'The famous London Welsh side of the late Sixties. Knowledge accumulation is his game and it goes way back to his boyhood diet of Barry John and Gareth Edwards. He has the Welsh papers sent up to him in Manchester and he talks to Glen Webbe and Mark Ring twice a week. But when I left Wales in 1992, I think a few people down there thought I was past my sell-by date.'Turner is often looking over his shoulder at Wales. His two years there have been blighted by injury, but this season his nimble hands and active mind have guided Sale's open game-plan with such skill that Stuart Barnes last week named him as the best stand-off in the country Was he surprised? 'I never had doubts in my ability. Another comeback to add to the collection. His return to the Sale line-up, which he saw promoted to National League One last season, has been as impressive as any.