Sale Sharks have named their side to face Northampton Saints at the AJ Bell Stadium in the opening fixture of the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership. Kick-off 8:00pm live on BT Sport Red Button.
Steve Diamond’s Sharks meet Northampton at the AJ Bell Stadium tomorrow evening in their first outing in the Gallagher Premiership since both teams were forced to forfeit their final 2019/20 fixtures due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In the forwards, Russian international Valery Morozov joins Springbok’s Akker van der Merwe and Coenie Oosthuizen in an experienced front row for the first game of the season. An all-South African second row of Jean-Luc du Preez and Cobus Wiese will provide impressive power options behind them as the Sharks look to start the season with intent. Club Captain Jono Ross, Ben Curry and Daniel du Preez complete a dynamic Sale pack for the round 1 fixture.
The Sharks back division is in full force as the new season gets underway, with World Cup winning scrum half Faf de Klerk taking centre stage alongside USA international AJ MacGinty. The experienced half-back pairing have the services of powerful inside centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg and the eclectic skills of Sam James outside them.
After an impressive performance in the reverse of this fixture at the end of last season, Simon Hammersley takes his place on the wing alongside Denny Solomona, with the in-form Luke James securing the 15 shirt for Friday’s match.
