Sale Sharks have named their side to face London Irish in round fourteen of the Gallagher Premiership. Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson makes six changes to his starting XV following defeat to Northampton Saints last weekend. (Sale Sharks v London Irish – Sunday 21st March 2021 – Kick-Off 3:00pm)
The ever-impressive Bevan Rodd returns to the Sale pack for The Exiles’ trip to the AJ Bell Stadium and lines up alongside Springbok duo Akker van der Merwe and Coenie Oosthuizen in a highly mobile Sharks front-row. Lood de Jager remains in the Sale starting line-up following two consecutive try-scoring performances for the Sharks, the World Cup winner is joined by Josh Beaumont in second row for Sunday’s clash. Jono Ross shifts from openside to captain the Sharks from his usual position of blindside flanker and he is joined by Cameron Neild and Jean-Luc du Preez in the back row.
Faf de Klerk remains at scrumhalf as Sale return home this weekend and is joined by compatriot Robert du Preez who lines up at fly-half. Connor Doherty gets his second call up to the starting XV this season and lines up at inside centre alongside Sam James in the thirteen shirt. Arron Reed is rewarded for an impressive performance at Franklin’s Gardens with his second start of the season and joins Byron McGuigan and Simon Hammersley in an unchanged Sale back three.
Curtis Langdon and Ross Harrison join academy prospect and potential debutant James Harper as front row replacements, with James Phillips and the newly re-signed Sam Dugdale providing further cover for the forwards. Will Cliff returns to action and is named as cover for Faf de Klerk alongside AJ McGinty and Luke James with all three players bringing a wealth of premiership experience to the Sharks squad.
