Preview: Sale v Harlequins

Dean Schofield and Chris Jones return to the Sale Sharks team to take on Harlequins in this Sunday's Heineken Cup clash at Edgeley Park.

Dean Schofield and Chris Jones return to the Sale Sharks team to take on Harlequins in this Sunday's Heineken Cup clash at Edgeley Park.

“We came away from The Stoop with a bonus point win against a good side who love to attack you,” said Sale boss Kingsley Jones.

“In the first half last week we did a lot of things right but let our discipline slip after the restart and spent much of the second half defending our own line after being penalised 7-1. However I must say that our defensive line late in the game was magnificent, it was a real team effort.

“Dean Schofield and Chris Jones are both fit again and will start the game. John Kingston said after last weeks game that they are not driving up to Stockport to make up the numbers and I am sure the Quins players will be looking to impress their new Director of Rugby Conor O'Shea.”

Meanwhile, there are a handful of changes to the Harlequins team.

In the front row, Aston Croall, Tani Fuga and Mark Lambert all make the starting XV, along with Tom Guest, who starts in place of Chris Robshaw, who moves to the bench.

With Danny Care and Gonzalo Tiesi being rested, Karl Dickson once again starts in the number nine shirt. Tosh Masson joins George Lowe in the centres. Tom Williams returns to the wing in place of David Strettle, who is moved to the bench.

The teams:

Sale: 15 Nick Macleod, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Lee Thomas, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole 7 Luke Abraham, 6 Carl Fearns, 5 Dean Schofield, 4 Chris Jones, 3 Jack Forster, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Eifion Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Gavin Kerr, 18 Martin Halsall, 19 James Gaskell, 20 David Seymour, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 David Bishop, 23 Marika Vakacegu.

Harlequins15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 George Lowe, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Karl Dickson, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner, 6 Tom Guest, 5 George Robson, 4 Lewis Stevenson, 3 Mark Lambert, 2 Tani Fuga, 1 Aston Croall.
Replacements:16 Chris Brooker, 17 Ceri Jones, 18 James Johnston, 19 Neil McMillan, 20 Chris Robshaw, 21 Steve So'oialo, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 David Strettle,

Date: Sunday, December 20
Venue: Edgeley Park
Kick-off:15.00 GMT
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Michael Black (Ireland), Richard Kerr (Ireland)