Sale v Wasps: Teams

Hodgson: Crucial role

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Sale Sharks chief Kingsley Jones has dubbed Friday's rearranged clash with Wasps as "the game that will shape the rest of our season".

Sale have found themselves dragged into a relegation fight at the bottom of the Guinness Premiership - however a victory in their game in hand would see them leapfrog Worcester and Leeds with six matches left.

And Jones admitted: "This game Friday is key. If we win this game Friday we can start looking up.

"Every single one of these seven games will be tough, especially London Irish away, but I don't fear any of those teams. Even playing Bath away.

"In the LV= Cup, let's be realistic, we took the Sale Jets down to the Recreation Ground. Of course, it will be a big challenge but I've been to Bath many times and won.

"And Quins, we've beaten them three times this season, we can do it again. I respect all these teams, don't get me wrong, but why should we fear them?"

Jones has been buoyed by news Charlie Hodgson has been released by England to play - with the fly-half set to play a vital role in the tactics.

Kristian Ormsby also gets the nod at No.8 with Luke Abraham, who is returning from eight weeks out, and Sisa Koyamaibole forming a formidable back row.

Wasps have made just one change to the starting line-up that toppled Gloucester at Adams Park in their last Premiership outing.

The change is seen at scrum-half with Warren Fury coming in for James Honeyben, who suffered and ankle injury against Gloucester.

Wasps have included Will Matthews on the bench, while John Hart will make his 100th Premiership appearance.

And director of rugby Tony Hanks insists his side are raring to go after a week off.

"We are really looking forward to getting back into the Premiership after a week's break from competitive action," he said.

"The guys have been rejuvenated by the break but are hungry to just get out there and play. This game is huge for both sides and we will be looking to uphold our recent home form with a strong performance on the road.

"Finding that consistency will be key for us, especially at this stage of the season and with the competition so tight."

Sale: 15 Marika Vakacegu, 14 Dafydd James, 13 Jonny Kennedy, 12 Nick Macleod, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 1 Eifion Roberts, 2 Neil Briggs, 3 Jack Forster, 4 Chris Jones, 5 Dean Schofield, 6 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Luke Abraham, 8 Kristian Ormsby.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Gavin Kerr, 18 Rob O'Donnell, 19 Sean Cox, 20 Carl Fearns, 21 David Seymour, 22 Chris Leck, 23 David Bishop.

Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Ben Jacobs, 12 Steve Kefu, 11 David Lemi, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Warren Fury, 8 Dan Ward Smith, 7 Serge Betsen, 6 John Hart, 5 Dan Leo, 4 Marty Veale, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Rob Webber (c), 1 Zak Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Gabriel Bocca, 18 Bob Baker, 19 Will Matthews, 20 Hugo Ellis, 21 Danny Cipriani, 22 Dominic Waldouck, 23 Tom Varndell.