Sale v London Irish: Teams

At Edgeley Park, Friday January 9, kick-off 7.45pm

Last updated: 9th January 2009

Tait: On the bench

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Sale have named fit-again England internationals Andrew Sheridan and Mathew Tait on the bench for the visit of title-chasing London Irish.

Sheridan had been struggling with a neck injury, while Tait was sidelined with a bout of illness over the festive period.

However both come on to the bench, as Sale prepare to take on the side director of rugby Philippe Saint Andre believes are the "worthy leaders" of the Guinness Premiership.

Saint-Andre said: "After the disappointment of not playing last week at Worcester the players are looking forward to tomorrow evening's game.

"In our last game against Wasps we played well and I am looking for more of the same against London Irish. Irish are worthy leaders of the Premiership and we know we will need to be able to play and compete for the whole 80 minutes.

"Their win against Newcastle last week underlined that they will attack you from anywhere and at any time."

Return

London Irish coach Toby Booth welcomes back experienced international duo Clarke Dermody and Danie Coetzee for the trip to Sale.

All Black prop Dermondy and South African hooker Coetzee will join Tonga's Tonga Lea'aetoa in a formidable-looking front-row.

But despite the return of the two forwards, Booth is expecting a tough test against the Sharks.

"Coming away with any league points from Edgeley Park is always difficult and I expect tomorrow night to be no different," he said.

"Like ourselves, the Sale squad is numerically small by Premiership standards, but what it lacks in numbers is made up in terms of quality.

"Combine that with the expertise of two of the most experienced and capable coaches in the country and you know we face a tough task in Stockport."

Sale: 15 Mark Cueto, 14 Chris Bell, 13 Andy Tuilagi, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 David Doherty, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Dwayne Peel, 1 Lionel Faure, 2 Marc Jones, 3 Eifion Roberts, 4 Sebastien Chabal, 5 Dean Schofield, 6 Chris Jones, 7 Neil Briggs, 8 JM Fernandez Lobbe (capt).
Replacements: 16 Stuart Turner, 17 Andrew Sheridan, 18 Brent Cockbain, 19 Luke Abraham, 20 Richard Wigglesworth, 21 Nick McLeod, 22 Mathew Tait.

London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Elvis Seveali'I, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Tom Homer, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Paul Hodgson, 1 Clarke Dermody, 2 Danie Coetzee, 3 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 4 James Hudson, 5 Bob Casey (capt), 6 Declan Danaher, 7 Steffon Armitage, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia.
Replacements: 16 Alex Corbisiero, 17 David Paice, 18 Nick Kennedy, 19 Richard Thorpe, 20 Charlie Gower, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Mike Catt.