Darren Lamon makes six changes to his starting line up for Sale Sharks’ final home game of the Allianz Premier 15s season. Lamon is without Lauren Delany and Nicola Howat who are away with Ireland and Scotland respectively but is delighted to welcome back three Welsh Internationals, with just Jess Roberts being rested after an intense few weeks for the newly capped scrum half. There’s also a debut for Meg Kirkby who’s been hugely impressive in training over the past few weeks and has fully earnt her chance to pull on a Sharks shirt for the firs time.
Exeter Chiefs Women come to the Corpacq Stadium on the back of some very impressive performances and in Susie Appleby have an experienced coach who’s been getting the best out of her squad in recent weeks. Sharks will be under no illusions of the task at hand on Saturday having lost at Sandy Park 38-0 back in December but will be looking to sign off at home with a memorable performance.
In the Sharks pack, there are two changes with Gwen Pyrs back into the starting line up and chomping at the bit to get the ball in her hands and she’s joined by the defensive rock that is Hannah Field who starts in the backrow. Joining Gwen in the front row is Aisha Abu Marzouq who will be packing down in the 3 shirt and one of Sharks’ rising starts, Scarlett Fielding will be in the 2 shirt. Teleri Wyn Davies returns to the Sharks lineup having been a bright light for Wales in what was a difficult campaign and she’s joined by captain Beth Stafford who makes the move from the back row into the engine room. The back row see’s the experienced Hannah Field at 8 and she’s joined by Lucy Winter and Georgie Perris Redding who will bring the intensity and energy needed to down this strong Chiefs side.
There are three changes in the Shark’s back line seeing Mhairi Grieve, Alicia Calton and Alex Wallace all back in the starting XV. Grieve will be a welcome return for Lamon given that Jess is unavailable this week and will be looking to her and Katy Daley-Mclean to orchestrate their attack. The impressive Laura Perrin continues at inside centre and she’s joined by Alicia Calton to reform a partnership that has worked well for Sharks in the past. The back three see’s Alex Wallace slotting it at full back and she’s joined by the electric pairing of Jodie Ounsley and back from International duty with Wales, Lisa Neumann.
Lamon is blessed with a blend of experience and youth on his bench to hopefully provide impetus in the closing stages of the game. The experienced pairing of Molly Kelly and Katie Houghton provide front row cover along with debutant Meg Kirkby. Vicky Irwin and Jess Elbeck who’s been a standout performer in recent fixtures provide Daz with a bit of X factor from the bench. India Perris-Redding provides the cover at 9 and will be looking to add on her strong cameo last time out against Harlequins and she’s joined by Hollie Bawden and Jess Wooden on the bench.
Due to the technical issues we have been having over recent weeks with the Live Stream we will be unable to stream this weekend’s game. However, we will be providing updates via our Twitter channel.
