It’s derby weekend! And with all the talk of friendships between the two head coaches this week, Sharks DoR Alex Sanderson has continued the family theme by selecting two du Preezs and two Currys as the home side return to full strength.

Ben and Tom Curry, and Hyron Andrews have all returned from return to play protocols, but we’re denied a first full du Preez and Curry compliment since the 2022/23 semi-final victory vs Leicester as Jean-Luc du Preez’s return to play is delayed – Dan, however, plays for the first time since January.

Given the calibre of names above, it’s difficult to argue that the rotation of Josh Beaumont, Sam Dugdale, and Rouban Birch is harsh, but their performance last week was a “watershed” one according to Sanderson, the likes of Dugdale contributing 33 tackles to the team’s 260 as they suffocated a Gloucester side full of confidence and willing to play phases.

“It’s really rewarding. It was the same forward pack that played well last Christmas but lost games”, said Sanderson. “Now they’re winning, it shows the strength in depth we’ve got – we’ve probably got 16 forwards who can compete.

“19 out of the 13 were academy bred. Seeing the lads being able to step up and get recognition, I buzz off that as much as I do the win”.

The starting backline, however, remains unchanged. Rob du Preez, Tom Roebuck, and Joe Carpenter all scored vs Falcons in the teams’ last meeting, where Sharks ran out 35-14 victors. That win acted as revenge for Falcons’ 20-14 win at Kingston Park in 2022, and Sharks are looking to continue their run of home victories in the Northern Derby that stretches back to 2018.

The centre partnership of Sam Bedlow and Will Addison is restored, the second time they’ve lined up alongside each other despite both of their long histories with the club. Addison was withdrawn having been poked in the eye last week so is fine to start again, whilst Bedlow is looking to add to a robust performance last week and add to the 24 defenders he’s beaten in his last 12 Premiership games. One of the two can expect to make way for Rob du Preez with fly half Tom Curtis the only outside back on the bench.

Given the derby occasion, and the rotation in the side, Sanderson’s men are wary of the Falcons challenge despite their 24-match losing streak, he had this to say about it:

“It’s a bit like fight club, the first rule is not to talk about [complacency], I think you can manifest it.

“We don’t really have that because we’ve got lads coming back in, they know they’ve got to step up.

“The crowds are definitely the best it’s been since I’ve been here, so the emotional levels have to be high”.

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