Alex Sanderson makes just one enforced change to his Sharks side as they go in search of a fourth successive win at the Twickenham Stoop against Harlequins, as Simon McIntyre takes over from the injured Bevan Rodd at loosehead prop. There’s also a return to action for Raffi Quirke, who has recovered from a broken jaw to take his place on the replacements bench.
Elsewhere, it’s as you were for Sale, as Luke Cowan-Dickie is named again at hooker, while the league’s top tackler Ernst van Rhyn starts in the back-row again (KO 7.45pm, LIVE on TNT Sports).
After making his first start for the club in the win against Bath last weekend, England hooker Cowan-Dickie starts again alongside props McIntyre and Nick Schonert.
Cobus Wiese and Jonny Hill link up again in the second-row and Van Rhyn, captain Ben Curry, and Dan du Preez, who has beaten more defenders than any other forward this season (21) combine again in the back-row.
Scrum-half Gus Warr has George Ford alongside him once again in the half-backs while Rob du Preez teams up with Sam Bedlow in the centres.
The league’s joint top-scorer Arron Reed (five tries), who has made more clean breaks than any other player in the league this season (12), starts with Tom Roebuck and full-back Joe Carpenter in the back three.
Agustin Creevy, Ross Harrison and James Harper are picked as the front-row replacements while Josh Beaumont and Sam Dugdale will cover the rest of the forwards.
Quirke, Sam James and O’Flaherty are the backs replacements.
Sale Sharks Starting XV:
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Arron Reed, 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Si McIntyre, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Nick Schonert, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Ernst van Rhyn, 7. Ben Curry ©, 8. Dan du Preez.
Replacements:
16. Agustin Creevy, 17. Ross Harrison, 18. James Harper, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Sam Dugdale, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Sam James, 23. Tom O’Flaherty.
- Ben Curry was the only player in Round 7 who offloaded the ball three times. He also made 13 tackles and won two turnovers.
- Sale Sharks beat more defenders than any other team in Round 7 (27) and made the most post-contact metres (157) – both the highest totals of their season so far.
- Sale Sharks have lost just one away game in Premiership Rugby since March.
- Sale have lost just one of their last five fixtures against Harlequins in Premiership Rugby: 13-29 at Salford Stadium in October 2022.
- Sale have won on their last three visits to the Stoop in all tournaments.
- Luc Ramos becomes the tenth French referee to take charge of a Premiership match, whilst Patric Dellac becomes just the 2nd French TMO after Philippe Bonhoure did two games in 2022.
