Matchday Live

Sale Sharks

• Sale Sharks have retained possession from every single one of their mauls, a 100% ball retention rate.
• At the heart of their unbeaten streak at the start of this season, Robert du Preez is currently the top points-scorer in the Gallagher Premiership, having scored 50 thus far.
• Captaining his side in their round five tussle with Leicester Tigers, Tom Curry made four offloads – the highest total of the round and equal to the highest total in a single game so far this season. He has now scored two tries in three appearances.
• Sharks scrum-half Gus Warr has looked to test the skills of the opposition under the high ball repeatedly this season, sending up a league-high 18 bomb kicks so far.

  London Irish

• The Exiles’ lineout is the most effective in the Premiership, with ball being won from 95% of their throws.
• London Irish have scored the highest number of points per 22 visit in the league. They have scored 150 points and made 36 visits to the 22, for an average of 4.17 points per red zone entry.
• Ben Loader and Ollie Hassell-Collins both scored hat tricks for London Irish in round four. This is the seventh instance of a team scoring two hat tricks in a match and the first since Jonny Hill and Sam Simmonds scored three apiece versus Worcester Warriors in August 2020.
• Henry Arundell is arguably the league’s foremost attacking player. He has made the most metres (454), joint-third most offloads (eight), and joint-second most try assists (four) in his four appearances.

  Historical

• The last two meetings between these sides have been draws: 27-27 in February and 31-31 in September 2021. Prior to this, the Sharks were on an eight-match winning streak against Irish.
• Sale Sharks have won their last seven Premiership matches and have won ten of their last 12 at home.