Alex Sanderson has named his Sale Sharks side to face Gallagher Premiership champions Harlequins at the AJ Bell Stadium tomorrow evening. British and Irish Lions Tom Curry and Manu Tuilagi make a welcome return to action for the Sharks in a highly experienced line up as Sale continue to rotate their squad.
The Sharks coaching team make seven changes to their starting line-up following defeat at Kingsholm in round four with a host of internationals returning for Sale on Friday night.
Bevan Rodd is named at loosehead prop to replace last week’s captain Ross Harrison and will be looking to impress against Harlequins following a recent call up to Eddie Jones’ autumn training squad. The 21-year-old lines up next to fellow academy graduate Curtis Langdon and experienced tight-head Nick Schonert.
Cobus Wiese makes his return to action in the second row and partners compatriot Jean-Luc du Preez at lock for the first time this season. JP du Preez moves to the bench following four consecutive starts for the Sharks.
Captain Jono Ross starts at blindside flanker on Friday and is joined in the back row by England Rugby poster boy Tom Curry at openside and Daniel du Preez at number 8. Curry makes his first start for Sale this season after completing a mandatory rest period following his involvement in the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa.
Raffi Quirke continues in his rich vein of form and is named again at scrum-half, joining fellow academy half-back Kieran Wilkinson in the starting line-up tomorrow. The youthful combination have the highly experienced centre partnership of Manu Tuilagi and Sam James at their disposal in a stacked Sharks back line.
Denny Solomona continues to impress following his return to action this season, the England International joins Scotland’s Byron McGuigan and Simon Hammersley in the Sale back three.
Tommy Taylor and Ross Harrison link up with Coenie Oosthuizen as front row replacements tomorrow evening, whilst JP du Preez and Cameron Nield offer further cover for the forwards.
Sharks academy stars Gus Warr, Tom Curtis and Luke James cover the backs.
