Sale v London Welsh: Teams

Jonathan Mills: The London Welsh captain has recovered from a facial injury

Andy Powell: The Sale Sharks back row has been named in the starting XV

Andy Powell has been named in Bryan Redpath's starting XV for Sale's Aviva Premiership clash with London Welsh in Salford on Friday.

Powell is joined in the back row by Mark Easter as the only changes to the Sharks side which lost 37-11 to Harlequins last time out.

Director of rugby Redpath is excited by Powell's return to action.

He said: "Andy Powell is back 'in the mix' and gives us a huge, ball-carrying emphasis.

"We haven't gone for wholesale changes because we believe that these players need to rectify some of the issues from the Quins game.

"It's been disappointing to lose three games but we need to make sure that we don't over analyse or panic.

"We were in the game last weekend but didn't take some chances that could have led to pressure, if not a scoring opportunity. London Welsh present a massive challenge, one to which we're looking forward."

Importance

Meanwhile, Lyn Jones, London Welsh head coach, has made just one enforced change - Michael Hills replaces the injured Mike Denbee at openside for what will be his first competitive appearance of the season.

Mills knows how important the clash against Sale will be. They head to Salford on the back of a thrilling victory over the Chiefs, their first win since joining the English top flight.

It took Welsh above Sale, Worcester and London Irish and served notice that they might not deserve the tag of 'red-hot relegation favourites' pinned on them by most pundits.

Quality side

Mills said: "It was quite funny how people had already written us off after our first two games, but we were playing two of the best sides in the league.

"Exeter are a quality side in their own right, but to be able to get a win at home at the Kassam Stadium was an amazing feeling for the boys.

"We are on the way now and hopefully we can keep moving forward."

One area Welsh must improve, though, is their tendency for slow starts and conceding early points, as illustrated by an initial 14-point deficit against Exeter.

"Obviously, we've got to sort that out," Mills added. "We can't be giving sides 14 points, especially when we are on their line and they go the length of the field. If we take that away, then hopefully we can get some comfortable wins rather than last-minute ones."

Captain Jonathan Mills has recovered from the facial injury he sustained last Sunday in the victory over the Chiefs to again lead the side.

On the bench, Dan Williamson replaces Alfie To'oala, who picked up a knock in training, while scrum half cover is provided by Nick Runciman, who replaces Jonah Holmes.

Welsh will line up with two former Sharks in their starting XV, too, in Hills and hooker Neil Briggs.

The two sides have not met in a competitive match since Sale grabbed a 16-9 win at Old Deer Park in the old Division Two back in January 1989.

Sale Sharks: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Andy Powell 7 David Seymour (c), 6 Mark Easter, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 2 Joe Ward, 1 Eifion Lewis-Roberts. Replacements: 16 Tommy Taylor, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 Tony Buckley, 19 Fraser McKenzie, 20 Richie Vernon, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Nick Macleod, 23 Corne Uys.

London Welsh: 15 Tom Arscott, 14 Phil Mackenzie, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Hudson Tonga'uiha, 11 Nick Scott, 10 Gordon Ross, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Ed Jackson, 7 Michael Hills, 6 Daniel Browne, 5 Matt Corker,4 Jonathan Mills (c), 3 Paulica Ion, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Frank Montanella. Replacements: 16 Dan George, 17 Tom Bristow, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Kirill Kulemin, Ed Williamson, 21 Nick Runciman, 22 Ryan Davis, 23 Seb Jewell.

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