A first in Sale Sharks’ history as both the Men’s and Women’s teams take on the same opposition in Wasps this weekend. Whilst the Men’s fixture will be played at the Ricoh Arena, the Women will travel down to Twyford Avenue in London to take on a very strong Wasps outfit who currently sit 4th.
Darren Lamon’s side are on the back of a 31-3 victory against DMP Durham Sharks and despite the emphatic score line, both the playing and coaching staff were left frustrated with the performance which just shows how far this young Sharks side have come in recent months. The squad will go to Wasps Ladies lifted by the news that four of the girls have been called into the Wales Six Nations squad to take on France next weekend with Molly Kelly, Teleri Wyn Davies, Lisa Neumann and uncapped scrum half Jess Roberts all included. Irish international Lauren Delany was also announced in the Irish Six Nations squad this week and will be looking forward to Saturday 10th April when she will take on her Sharks teammates as Wales host Ireland in Cardiff!
Looking ahead to Wasps on Saturday and there’s just the one change to the Sharks pack as Nicola Howat misses out through injury. The front row of Abu-Marzouq, Fielding and Houghton continues to gel and will be looking to bring their dynamism and ability in the loose to the fore down in West London. Welsh international Teleri Wyn Davies is joined by Lucy Winter in the row this weekend, moving up from her usual position in the back row and with Georgie Perris Redding, Jess Elbeck and Beth Stafford making up the rest of the pack, Lamon will be hoping this athletic back 5 can be a nuisance on Saturday.
Jess Roberts off the back of some very impressive outings, resulting in her first Six Nations call up will be in the 9 shirt and is joined by Katy Daley-Mclean who will look to orchestrate play and put Sale in the right areas of the field to attack. The dependable Laura Perrin who is really maturing in her role at 12 is partnered again with last week’s outstanding player of the match Lisa Neumann who will be hoping to continue with her high levels of performance as she goes into the Welsh camp. The back three see’s Jodie Ounsley and Jess Wooden starting again and they are joined by the youngster Hollie Bawden who Lamon will be keen to get the ball in her hands, off her wing and battering into the Wasps defence.
Gwen Pyrs and Hannah Field continue with their recovery from injury as they take up a place on the bench again this weekend. Vicky E Irwin also recovers from injury and provides second row/back row cover. There’s also a welcome return to the squad for the impressive Alicia Calton who had a rest week last week and she provides genuine cover across the entire back line.
There will be no live stream unfortunately but please follow the Sale Sharks Women’s Twitter page for live Twitter updates.
