Preview: Sale v Worcester
Despite missing several players on international duty Sale have been able to name a strong side for Friday's Guinness Premiership clash against Worcester.
Despite missing several players on international duty Sale have been able to name a strong side for Friday's Guinness Premiership clash against Worcester.
The big news is that full-back Mathew Tait has recovered from injury and returns to the starting XV in what is an exciting looking back-line.
Richard Wigglesworth reverts back to his usual scrum-half position, meaning Charlie Hodgson gets the nod at fly-half. Elsewhere Mark Cueto dons the fourteen jersey and All Black Luke McAlister starts at inside centre.
Up front there are a few new faces, notably Carl Fearns at number eight and Rob O'Donnell at loosehead prop, although with the likes of Luke Abrahams and Kristian Ormsby in the back row there is plenty of experience.
“This, like any game in the Guinness Premiership, will be very tough,” Head Coach Kingsley Jones said.
“We have had several players selected for their countries in the internationals and that gives opportunities to other players in the squad. We have had a good week preparing for this game and we are looking forward to it.
Mike Ruddock has made six changes to his starting line-up, including recalling centre Dale Rasmussen and scrum-half Ryan Powell.
Wing Miles Benjamin is declared fit and slots back into the side with Chris Pennell on the opposite flank. New Zealander Rico Gear takes his place on the replacements bench.
The Worcester pack sees three changes with inspirational flanker Pat Sanderson handed a first start of the league season and the captaincy, whilst Kai Horstmann will play in the back row with Matt Cox among the replacements.
Craig Gillies is paired with Greg Rawlinson in the second row with lock Will Bowley making a return to the bench after recovering from a broken thumb. Chris Horsman is also named among the replacements after completing his ban.
Form: Sale Sharks have won just one of their last six matches in all competitions: 32-15 at Montferrand in the European Cup on 11 October. Sale have won five of their last six games at Edgeley Park in the Guinness Premiership. Worcester Warriors have lost their last three games in the Guinness Premiership since their 11-10 victory at Wasps on 14 September. Amazingly the last five encounters between the two teams have been won by the away side on the day. The Warriors have won on their last two visits to Edgeley Park.
The Teams:
Sale: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Chris Bell, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 David Doherty, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Carl Fearns, 7 Luke Abrahams, 6 Kristian Ormsby, 5 Dean Schofield, 4 Brent Cockbain, 3 Stuart Turner, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Rob O'Donnell.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Ross Davies, 18 David Tait, 19 James Gaskell, 20 Chris Leck, 21 Rudi Keil, 22 Nick Macleod.
Worcester: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Chris Pennell, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Matthew Jones, 9 Ryan Powell, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson (c), 6 Netani Talei, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Matt Mullan.
Replacements: 16 Chris Fortey, 17 Chris Horsman, 18 Will Bowley, 19 Matt Cox, 20 Matt Powell, 21 Loki Crichton, 22 Rico Gear.
Date: Friday 14 November, 2008
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Edgeley Park
Referee: David Rose
Touch judges: Robin Goodliffe, Don Helme
Assessor: Brian Leigh
Television match official: Andy Turner, Dave Matthews