England and Lions lock Jonny Hill starts for the first time since January as Alex Sanderson makes eight changes to his starting line-up to face Racing 92 in round two of the Investec Champions Cup (live on Premier Sports, Friday 13th December, KO 8pm).
Hill partners Ben Bamber in a towering engine room, while England stars Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Curry, George Ford and Tom Roebuck also return against the French Top 14 side.
Bevan Rodd, Cowan-Dickie and James Harper team up in a powerful front-row, with Bamber and Hill combining in the second-row.
In the back-row, captain Ben Curry replaces brother Tom at openside flanker and he’ll link up with twins Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez.
Gus Warr and George Ford are reunited at half-back and after impressing as a pair against Leicester, Luke James and Rob du Preez go again in the centres. Luke will face his brother Sam, who joined Racing in the summer after spending 12 years at Sale.
In the back-three, winger Tom O’Flaherty returns to join Roebuck and full-back Joe Carpenter.
Tadgh McElroy, Si McIntyre and WillGriff John will cover the front row from the replacements bench, with the fit-again Josh Beaumont and Sam Dugdale the other forwards.
Backs Raffi Quirke, Waisea Nayacelevu and Alex Wills offer Alex pace and power off the bench.
Sale Sharks Starting XV:
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Luke James, 11. Tom O’Flaherty, 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr, 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. James Harper, 4. Ben Bamber, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. JL du Preez, 7. Ben Curry ©, 8. Dan du Preez.
Replacements:
16. Tadgh McElroy, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. WillGriff John, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Sam Dugdale, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Waisea Nayacalevu, 23. Alex Wills.
