World Cup finalists Faf de Klerk and Manu Tuilagi are both set to feature for Sale this weekend as Alex Sanderson makes six changes to his squad following victory over league leaders Leicester Tigers. The Sharks will also be bolstered by the return of internationals Bevan Rodd, Ewan Ashman and Raffi Quirke as they head south to face current Premiership champions Harlequins on Sunday (Kick-off 1:00pm – live on BT Sport).
Springbok scrum-half de Klerk returns after more than three months on the sidelines following hip surgery, while England and Lions star Tuilagi is fit again after a hamstring injury picked up in the Autumn international match against South Africa. Both take their places on a powerful Sharks bench for the clash at The Stoop, while Quirke and Rodd return after being released from England Six Nations duty.
In an unchanged Sharks front-row, Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman is flanked by the highly experienced Ross Harrison and Coenie Oosthuizen following an impressive performance at the AJ Bell stadium last weekend. The trio are joined by Jean-Luc du Preez and Lood de Jager who continue to thrive in an all South-African second-row partnership.
The only change to the Sale forward pack comes at openside flanker as Sam Dugdale is selected in place of the injured Ben Curry. The Sharks academy graduate joins skipper Jono Ross at blindside and Daniel du Preez at number 8 to round of a powerful pack.
Raffi Quirke returns from England’s Six Nations training camp to line up at scrum half in place of Will Cliff. The youngster is joined by the steady head of AJ MacGinty with the pair ready to impress once again in South London.
Springbok Rohan Janse van Rensburg will go head-to-head with fellow powerhouse centre Andre Esterhuizen at inside centre in what is sure to a physical midfield battle on Sunday. Janse van Rensburg is joined by Robert du Preez, who continues to impress in the thirteen shirt.
Arron Reed is named on the wing following a string of try-scoring cameos off the bench. The Preston-born speedster is joined by the prolific Tom Roebuck on the opposite wing this weekend, with Luke James retaining his spot at full-back.
Curtis Langdon, Bevan Rodd and Joe Jones are named as front-row replacements, with JP du Preez and the returning Cobus Wiese providing further cover for the forwards.
World Cup finalists Faf de Klerk and Manu Tuilagi both return to action alongside Sam James, with the pair offering exceptional cover for the Sale back-line on Sunday.
