Alex Sanderson makes eight changes to his starting XV as the Sale Sharks name their side to face former Gallagher Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs at the AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday. (Kick-off 3:00pm – Live on BT Sport)
Former Chief Sam Hill, Springbok Rohan Janse van Rensburg and England international Denny Solomona all return to start for Sale this weekend as Sanderson battles with a large injury count heading into round three.
Ross Harrison starts at loosehead for the first time this season after Bevan Rodd’s inclusion in this week’s England training camp. The Sharks stalwart joins Curtis Langdon and Nick Schonert in the front row for this weekend’s clash in Salford.
Cobus Wiese and JP du Preez continue their partnership in the second row and are named together for the third consecutive match, Ben Curry is forced to the sidelines following a failed head injury assessment in round two and the flanker is replaced by fellow academy graduate Cameron Nield. Neild joins Sam Dugdale and Jono Ross in the Sharks back-row. Ross captains the side on his 100th Sale Sharks appearance.
After an impressive display at the Brentford Community Stadium, Will Cliff keeps his place at scrumhalf on Sunday and will marshal the Sharks back-line alongside Springbok fly-half Robert du Preez.
The pair have a heavyweight centre partnership at their disposal as Sam Hill and Rohan Janse van Rensburg make their first starts of the season at inside and outside centre respectively
Marland Yarde is the only member of the Sale back three to start all three games so far, as Byron McGuigan and Simon Hammersley are both rotated for Exeter’s trip to the AJ Bell. McGuigan is replaced by England U20 star Tom Roebuck, whilst Denny Solomona moves into the 15 shirt to take Hammersley’s place at full-back.
Sanderson names Ewan Ashman, Bevan Rodd and Coenie Oosthuizen as front row replacements for Sunday’s fixture, whilst Rouban Birch and Tommy Taylor provide further cover for the Sharks forwards.
Academy stars Gus Warr, Kieran Wilkinson and Luke James provide cover for the Sale back-line.
