Sale Sharks have named their side to face Ospreys in round four of the Heineken Champions Cup pool stage. Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson makes two changes to his starting line-up ahead of Sunday’s clash at the AJ Bell where a victory will do for Sale as they look to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition for the second year running.
Alex makes just one change to the Sharks forwards following an abrasive performance against a heavyweight Clermont pack last weekend.
England international Bevan Rodd joins Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman and Nick Schonert in the Sale front-row for the third consecutive week, whilst both Lood de Jager and Jean-Luc du Preez retain their spots in the second row as Sanderson opts for consistency in selection in the Champions Cup.
Jono Ross lines up at blindside flanker and captains the side as usual, and the Sharks skipper is joined in the back row by Ben Curry and Daniel du Preez, with Curry replacing twin brother Tom in the starting XV this week.
Mercurial England scrum-half Raffi Quirke returns after injury to line up alongside AJ MacGinty at half-back. The pair will make their first appearance together since the last time Sale met Ospreys at the start of December last year and will be looking to impress on their final pool stage outing in the Champions Cup this weekend.
An unchanged Sharks centre pairing consists of South African duo Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Robert du Preez at inside and outside centre respectively. Simon Hammersley moves from the wing into the 15 shirt making room for Academy graduates Aaron Reed and last weeks try scorer Tom Roebuck to take their place on the wings.
There are three changes in the Sharks replacements as Curtis Langdon steps into the sixteen shirt in place of Tommy Taylor and Ross Harrison replaces Simon McIntyre as replacement loosehead. Coenie Oosthuizen makes up the front-row cover.
Will Cliff, Sam James and Jack Metcalf cover the Sale back line.
