Steffon Armitage takes on the Sharks
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Chris Malone will make his first start for London Irish in Friday's Guinness Premiership match against Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park.
Malone, who has performed well in his two appearances off the bench over the past fortnight, starts at fly-half as Head Coach Toby Booth rotates his squad.
The other changes to the starting line-up that played London Wasps on Sunday are in the front and back rows where Dan Murphy, Danie Coetzee and Richard Thorpe rotate with Clarke Dermody, David Paice and Declan Danaher respectively.
"We have a strong squad and with only a five day turnaround between matches this week it is important to use the resources at our disposal," said Booth.
"Chris Malone's experience will be important at Edgeley Park tomorrow night.
"Whatever the time of year Friday evening matches away at Sale are always difficult and I expect this one will be no different," Booth continued, "The Sharks will be boosted by the return of Charlie Hodgson who brings great experience and skill to a strong team."
Meanwhile, Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Kingsley Jones has named the hosts side for the Round Five clash.
"We have lost Lee Thomas this week with a groin strain but I have every confidence in Nick Macleod playing at ten, " said Jones.
"Two years ago Nick played in 5/6 group games for Cardiff Blues in the Heineken Cup and helped them make the Quarter Finals. I am also delighted to welcome back Sisa Koyamaibole, who played well in our opening game against Leicester Tigers."
"[London Irish] are a good side who have started this year where they left off last year," he added.
"Toby Booth has got a settled group of players and their squad was enhanced with the signing of Ryan Lamb from Gloucester. With Sale Sharks this season we have several new faces and it will take time to get everything right. We have had to go back to basics and Friday's game is like a Cup Final for us, playing against quality opposition."
"Dwayne Peel had his first rugby session yesterday and looked really sharp, he will be back very soon," said Kingsley on the injury situation at the club.
"Charlie Hodgson is getting there but we don't want to risk him yet. Further good news too on Kristian Ormsby who starts full rugby training next week. Kristian has been hitting the tackle shields hard all week and like Dwayne and Charlie, he will be back very soon."
Form: Sale Sharks are without a win since they beat Leicester in round one. The Sharks also slipped up last time out at Edgeley Park with a 12-25 defeat to Bath. London Irish are the Guinness Premiership's top try scorers with 14, five clear of their nearest rivals, and have won their last three matches in the competition. The Exiles have won their last three games on opposing soil (excluding the opening weekend defeat to Saracens at Twickenham, which was technically an away game).The two clubs shared the spoils in the Guinness Premiership last season with each team winning its respective home game. London Irish have the best record of any visiting club at Edgeley Park, recording four wins in the Premiership in six previous visits.
The teams:
Sale Sharks: 15 Marika Vakacegu, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Andy Tuilagi, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Nick Macleod, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Dave Seymour, 6 James Gaskell, 5 Dean Schofield, 4 Brent Cockbain, 3 Eifion Roberts, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Jack Forster, 18 Gavin Kerr, 19 Neil Briggs, 20 David Tait, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Johnny Kennedy, 23 Oriol Ripol.
London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Chris Malone, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Richard Thorpe, 5 Bob Casey (c), 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Paulica Ion, 2 Danie Coetzee,1 Dan Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Clarke Dermody, 17 David Paice, 18 Faan Rautenbach, 19 Andy Perry, 20 Declan Danaher, 21 Ryan Lamb, 22 Peter Richards, 23 Alfredo Lalanne.
Date: Friday, October 2
Venue: Edgeley Park, Stockport
Kick-off: 19.45 BST
Referee: Greg Garner
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