Preview: London Irish v Sale
Sale have made eleven changes to their side for Sunday's Guinness Premiership visit to face London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.
Sale have made eleven changes to their side for the Guinness Premiership visit to face London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday.
Missing through injury are Nick Macleod (hand), Marika Vakacegu (elbow) and Eifion Roberts (ankle), whilst Sharks' Director of Rugby Kingsley Jones includes England U20 prop Lee Imiolek, yet to make his senior debut, on the bench.
“We're glad to welcome back our international players – Mark Cueto, Mathew Tait and Dwayne Peel – to the side, and are looking forward to building on the good performance and win over London Wasps,” said Director of Rugby, Kingsley Jones.
“Irish are always a tough, physical side who will also be welcoming back some very good, experienced professionals. The game will present us with a very difficult challenge to which we are all looking forward, and we are desperate to gain some momentum for the final six games of the season.”
Meanwhile, Bob Casey will make his 200th appearance for London Irish when he leads the team on to the Madejski Stadium pitch.
The club captain and Ireland international, who joined the Exiles in July 2002, has shown exemplary professionalism and commitment in achieving this rare milestone in only his eighth season with the club.
Casey captains a strong team that reflects the quality in the club's squad.
“The players are refreshed after their return from our training camp where the change of scene and environment were uplifting,” said Toby Booth, London Irish Head Coach.
“We have a talented, quality squad and are looking forward to rolling up our sleeves and getting on with the job in hand on Sunday.
“Despite Sale's current league position, they will pose a formidable challenge on Sunday. Both teams have everything to play for, we're striving to maintain our top four challenge, while Sharks are trying to climb out of the relegation zone,” Booth continued, “We're expecting the biggest crowd of the season to date at Madejski Stadium so there will be a great atmosphere for what will be a compelling contest.”
Form: London Irish have won five of their last six encounters with the Sharks, whilst Sale have not won at Madejski Stadium since October 2006. London Irish have won just one of their last nine games in all competitions: 29-14 at home to Harlequins in the Guinness Premiership on 28 February. Sale Sharks' eight game losing run in all competitions came to an end with their 19-8 victory over London Wasps at Edgeley Park on Friday. Sale's only away victory in the Guinness Premiership since January 2009 remains as their 24-17 win at Leeds on 22 November.
The teams:
London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 John Rudd, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Delon Armitage, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 George Stowers, 5 Bob Casey (captain), 4 Kieran Roche, 3 Faan Rautenbach, 2 James Buckland, 1 Dan Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Danie Coetzee, 17 James Tideswell, 18 Alex Corbisiero, 19 Matt Garvey, 20 Richard Thorpe, 21 Chris Malone, 22 Mike Catt, 23 Tom Homer.
Sale: 15 Mark Cueto, 14 Dafydd James, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 David Bishop, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Charlie Hodgson (capt), 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Sisaro Koyamaibole, 7 David Seymour, 6 Carl Fearns, 5 Sean Cox, 4 Brent Cockbain, 3 Jack Forster, 2 Marc Jones, 1 Gavin Kerr.
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Lee Imiolek, 18 Martin Halsall, 19 Rob O'Donnell, 20 Luke Abraham, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Chris Leck, 23 Jonny Kennedy.
Date: Sunday, March 28
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Madejski Stadium