England international Tom Curry returns to the `Sale Sharks starting line-up as Paul Deacon names his side to face Wasps Rugby in the Sharks’ first Gallagher Premiership match since Steve Diamond’s departure earlier this month.
The newly appointed Head Coach makes eight changes to the Sale squad selected to face Edinburgh in the Heineken Champions Cup last weekend, as five internationals return for the Sharks ahead of Wasps’ visit at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Valerey Morozov and Coenie Oosthuizen return to the Sharks pack on Sunday and bring a wealth of experience to the front-row alongside the rampant Akker van der Merwe at hooker.
An unchanged lock partnership of Matt Postlethwaite and JP du Preez provides stability amidst a number of injuries in the Sale second row. Cobus Wiese, who has previously been named by the Sharks at lock, lines up in place of Jono Ross at blindside flanker. The South African continues to impress in the Sharks back row will be complimented this week by a welcome return to action for international’s Tom Curry and Daniel du Preez.
Faf de Klerk captains the side again in the absence of Jono Ross and lines up at half-back with AJ MacGinty as the pair look to orchestrate a first home victory under Paul Deacon. The Sharks deploy an abrasive centre partnership in Sam Hill and Rohan Janse van Rensburg but the combative pair will have plenty of flair outside them as Marland Yarde and Luke James are named on the wings, with Sam James retaining the fifteen shirt for Sale’s return to the Premiership.
