Planet Rugby

Preview: Sale Sharks v Saracens

11th September 2008 12:50

andrew sheridan salem sharks

Andrew Sheridan returns

Sale Director of Rugby Philippe Saint Andre has made five changes to the team that scored its first-ever win in Newcastle last week, for the home Guinness Premiership match against Saracens on Friday.

Wing Rory Lamont, hooker Sebastien Bruno and prop Andrew Sheridan all return to the starting fifteen after missing out on last week's win, along with scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth and lock Brent Cockbain.

Lamont lines up on the right wing in place of Mark Cueto, Bruno is named as hooker in place of Neil Briggs and Sheridan takes the place of Lionel Faure.

Cueto, Briggs and Faure are named among the replacements.

Saint Andre has also rotated the squad in that Richard Wigglesworth starts at scrum-half, and Brent Cockbain starts at lock, with Dwayne Peel and Dean Schofield on the bench.

"We started well with a victory at Newcastle but Friday's game against Saracens will be very tough," said Saint Andre.

"I have a lot of respect for Eddie Jones who not only coached Australia but did a great job with South Africa in last year's World Cup.

"We want to return to winning ways at Edgeley Park after the London Irish defeat in May."

Saracens travel north also showing five changes to the starting line-up.

Having featured in the opening game against Harlequins, Dave Seymour and Francisco Leonelli will both miss the match through injury while Jones brings in Italian international duo Matias Ageuro and Fabio Ongaro in the front row. Richard Haughton will return to the team after injury (hip) to take the full back's jersey.

Seymour has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks with knee ligament damage and England U20 international Andy Saull takes his place in the starting line-up. A rib problem sees Leonelli sidelined with Rodd Penney taking his place on the wing. That opens up a spot on the replacements bench for Chris Wyles - the USA international who has impressed Jones in training since joining the team only three weeks ago.

"We've made a few changes and this is a good opportunity for the guys coming into the side," explained Jones.

"Injuries have forced us into bringing in a couple of new faces and we've also decided to give Fabio Ongaro and Matias Aguero a run out.

"Both impressed in pre-season matches - especially against Toulon - and they showed up well then they came on against Quins last week so they deserve a chance.

"It's also good to have Richard Haughton back in the side. He had a very good season last year and proved himself to be one of the top performers in the competition and we're looking for him to continue that this season.

"Chris Wyles has also impressed me in training and the work he's done with us in the past few weeks since arriving at the club means he deserves his chance.

Form: Sale Sharks will be attempting to start the new Guinness Premiership season with a pair of wins for the first time since 2004/05. The Sharks lost their last home game at Edgeley Park 7-17 to London Irish on 10 May. Saracens were defeated 21-24 by Harlequins on Saturday and will be all out to prevent beginning a Premiership campaign with successive losses, something that has not happened to Saracens since season 1999/2000. Sarries have lost their last six Guinness Premiership away games - their worst away trot since 2002/03. The last four encounters between the two clubs have all been won by the home side on the day. Saracens only previous victory in six visits to Edgeley Park in all competitions was 15-9 in the Premiership on 10 March 2006.

The teams:

Sale Sharks: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Rory Lamont, 13 Luke McAlister, 12 Chris Bell, 11 David Doherty, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Sebastien Chabal, 7 Sean Cox, 6 Luke Abraham, 5 Brent Cockbain, 4 Chris Jones, 3 Eifion Roberts, 2 Sebastien Bruno, 1 Andrew Sheridan.

Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Lionel Faure, 18 Dean Schofield, 19 Kristian Ormsby, 20 Dwayne Peel, 21 Mark Cueto, 22 Oriol Ripol.

Saracens: 15 Richard Haughton, 14 Rodd Penney, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Michael Owen, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Chris Jack, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Matias Aguero.

Replacements: 16 Matt Cairns, 17 Cobus Visagie, 18 Kris Chesney, 19 Ben Skirving, 20 Moses Rauluni, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Chris Wyles.

Date: Friday, September 12

Venue: Edgeley Park

Kick-off: 19:45 (18:45 GMT)

Referee: Rob Debney

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