Waisea Nayacalevu makes his first Sale Sharks appearance as Alex Sanderson selects an experienced side to face Connacht Rugby in the Sharks’ second pre-season fixture of the 2024/25 season (Saturday 31st August, 1:30pm KO). There are starts for new signings Le Roux Roets and WIll Addison while Ben Curry captains the side for the first time this season.
First team regulars Ernst van Rhyn, Jean-Luc du Preez and George Ford also start for the first time this pre-season as Sanderson ramps up his preparations ahead of the incoming Gallagher Premiership Season.
Simon McIntyre, Tommy Taylor and James Harper start in the front-row as the Sharks coaching staff look to assess their options as the domestic season closes in. Powerful South African duo Ernst van Rhyn and Le Roux Roets complement the pack, lining up in the second row.
A familiar combination of Sam Dugdale, skipper Ben Curry and the abrasive Jean-Luc du Preez are named in the back row for the pre-season clash at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway.
Raffi Quirke is named at scrum-half alongside George Ford who will marshall a new-look back line from fly half. The ever-present Rob du Preez wears the 12 shirt and he’ll start in the centres alongside Fijian captain Nayacalevu.
Newly capped Scotland international Arron Reed, Tom O’Flaherty and Sharks fans’ favourite WIll Addison form an experienced back-three.
Alex names 12 replacements for the trip over the Irish Sea with Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tumy Onasanya and Asher Opoku-Fordjour providing front-row cover. Ben Bamber and towering academy prospect Tom Burrow cover the second row, with Rouban Birch and Tristan Woodman completing the forward cover.
In the backs, Gus Warr and Tom Curtis provide options at half-back, while Sam Bedlow and Rekeiti Ma’asi-White cover the centres. Tom Roebuck and Alex Wills offer further support for the back-three.
Sale Sharks Starting XV:
15. Will Addison, 14. Tom O’Flaherty, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 12. Rob du Preez, 11. Arron Reed, 10. George Ford, 9. Raffi Quirke, 1. Simon McIntyre, 2. Tommy Taylor, 3. James Harper, 4. Le Roux Roets, 5. Ernst van Rhyn, 6. Sam Dugdale, 7. Ben Curry (c), 8. Jean-Luc du Preez
Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Tumy Onasanya, 18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19. Ben Bamber, 20. Tom Burrow, 21, Rouban Birch, 22. Tristan Woodman, 23. Gus Warr, 24. Tom Curtis, 25. Sam Bedlow, 26. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 27. Tom Roebuck, 28. Alex Wills.
