European Rugby Champions Cup: Clermont Auvergne v Sale Sharks preview

Despite both enduring losing starts to the campaign last weekend, Clermont Auvergne and Sale Sharks picked up losing bonus points which could prove crucial in the ‘Pool of Death’.

Consolation points are not on either side’s agenda this weekend, however, as they seek their first Champions Cup victory and the winners should be elevated to second with Munster and Saracens facing each other.

French heavyweights Clermont reached the final four last season but were thumped 46-6 by Saracens, whom they will be desperate to beat out of the pool despite suffering defeat to the Londoners last time out.

Sale’s European calibre is under intense scrutiny after they surrendered a strong lead against Munster, though, Steve Diamond’s Sharks have won both meetings with Clermont.

It's been six years since Clermont Auvergne lost a home game in Europe, and Sale were the team to do it on that occasion.

Spearheaded by the playmaking duo of Charlie Hodgson and Luke McAlister, the Sharks were sensational at Marcel Michelin in a 32-15 win.

A repeat performance on Sunday would be an even greater surprise, with both sides already in must-win territory.

Injury-plagued

A major problem for Sale is the absence of three leaders, skipper Dan Braid, record try-scorer Mark Cueto and former Clermont lock Nathan Hines.

"Unfortunately we've got a lot of injuries," said Hines.

"Dan Braid, Mark Cueto and I haven't played yet this season and we could have offered some experience. Even if Sale have a lot of good youngsters, the leaders aren't there alongside them."

In team news, Jonathan Davies and Naipolioni Nalaga return to the Clermont backline as they hosts make five changes.

Alexandre Lapandry starts in back row with Damien Chouly ruled out. Loic Jacquet is at lock while Clément Ric takes over from the injured Davit Zirakashvili at tighthead prop.

Sale have made one change to their starting line-up. Chris Cusiter misses out with injury so Will Cliff starts for the first time this season.

Back amongst the replacements is captain Braid, who has been missing since the opening game of the season against Bath when he limped off with an ankle injury.

Clermont Auvergne: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Noa Nakaitaci, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Naipolioni Nalaga, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Ludovic Radoslavjevic; 1 Thomas Domingo, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 3 Clement Ric, 4 Jamie Cudmore, 5 Loic Jacquet, 6 Julien Bonnaire (capt), 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 8 Fritz Lee
Replacements: 16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Daniel Kotze, 19 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 20 Vito Kolelishvili, 21 Thierry Lacrampe, 22 Brock James, 23 Aurélien Rougerie

Sale Sharks: 15 Michael Haley, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Tom Arscott, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Will Cliff; 1 Eifion Lewis-Robert, 2 Marc Jones, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 4 Jon Mills, 5 Michael Paterson, 6 Magnus Lund, 7 David Seymour (capt), 8 Mark Easter
Replacements: 16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Alberto de Marchi, 18 Ross Harrison, 19 Andrei Ostrikov, 20 Dan Braid, 21 Nathan Fowles, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Andy Forsyth

Watch Clermont v Sale live on Sky Sports 3HD from 3pm on Sunday