Sale Sharks Women will head to Durham University on Saturday to take on DMP Durham Sharks in the rearranged Round 6 fixture in the Allianz Premier 15s.
Darren Lamon’s side lost narrowly away to Bristol last weekend and despite picking up a couple of key injuries will be positive that the girls can go one better in the North East and pick up Sharks’ first away win of 2021. England 7’s International Jodie Ounsley also appears in a Sharks 23 for the first time since signing for the club and provides Lamon with some real out-and-out pace to bring off the bench.
There’s two changes in the pack this weekend with Lucy Winter coming back in to the No.7 shirt for Jess Elbeck who drops down to bench and a straight swap at hooker too as Molly Kelly comes in for Scarlett Fielding. That means that Abu-Marzouq, Kelly and Houghton make up the front row and are supported in the scrum by Teleri Wyn-Davies and her partner in the lock for the 2nd week running, the very impressive Daisy Hibbert Jones. The back row includes the addition of Lucy Winter who joins Georgie Perris-Redding and Beth Stafford who both had very impressive outings last week.
There’s also a couple of changes to the backs after Vicky Irwin (dislocated shoulder) and Mhairi Grieve (shoulder) both picked up knocks that’ll keep them out for at least a few weeks. Therefore there will be a new half back pairing this week of Jess Roberts, recently include in the Wales squad and Katy Daley-Mclean who takes on her former side. Laura Perrin and Alicia Calton continue to strengthen their partnership in the centres for a second week on the bounce. Alex Wallace has worked her way back into the starting line up and will wear the 15 jersey which puts the dangerous runners of both Lisa Nuemann and Lauren Delany on the wings.
Despite the injuries there’s still a strong feel to the finishers and Lamon will be delighted he can call upon the likes of last weeks try scorer Vicky E Irwin and the likes of Nicola Howat and Scarlett Fielding to bring some impotance.
Unfortunately there will be no live stream this weekend so please follow our Sale Sharks Women Twitter channel for live tweet updates.
