Alex Sanderson has made just one change to his Sale Sharks side to face London Irish in round two of the Gallagher Premiership this weekend, as fly-half AJ MacGinty returns from international duty to take his place alongside man-of-the-moment Raffi Quirke.
MacGinty replaces the injured Rob du Preez at 10 while fellow international stars Denny Solomona and Coenie Oosthuizen also return to action for Sale as they go in search of a win in their first away match of the season at the Brentford Community Stadium this Sunday. (Kick-off 3:00pm – live on BT Sport 1)
Sharks Director of Rugby Sanderson names an unchanged Sharks pack, with Bevan Rodd marking his call up to Eddie Jones’ England training squad with yet another Premiership start. The Academy graduate joins fellow internationals Akker van der Merwe and Nick Schonert in the Sale front row.
It’s an all-South African affair in the second row again this week with Cobus Wiese and J.P du Preez both returning to action following an impressive performance from the pair in round one. Cameron Nield and Ben Curry remain at blindside and openside flanker respectively, and Jono Ross captains the side from number 8.
Fit-again Raffi Quirke also celebrates his call up to the England training squad this week and is rewarded for an electric first-half performance versus Bath Rugby with another Premiership start. AJ MacGinty returns from the USA Eagles to join the 20-year old at half-back.
A new-look Manu Tuilagi starts again in the centres and will provide the Sharks with plenty of power and prowess in the backline. The British and Irish Lion is joined by the ever-present Sam James in the midfield once again this week.
Try scoring supremo Byron McGuigan takes his place on the wing once again as he makes up an experienced Sale back three alongside Marland Yarde and Simon Hammersley.
