Sale Sharks v Bath: Teams
Sale Sharks have made three changes to their starting line-up for Friday's Aviva Premiership clash with Bath at Edgeley Park.
Last Updated: 13/04/12 10:14pm
Sale Sharks have made three changes to their starting line-up for Friday's Aviva Premiership clash with Bath at Edgeley Park.
Andrei Ostrikov, who has not featured since early February, comes into the second row and Joe Ward starts at hooker, while James Gaskell switches from lock to flanker.
Henry Thomas is included in the squad for the first time since New Year's Day - the England Saxons prop damaged a knee at Leicester, as well as having to have his face stitched following a clash with colleague David Seymour.
"Bath are a very good side, with world-class players," stated Sharks' CEO Steve Diamond.
"We were competitive at Newcastle, but didn't manage the game for the full eighty minutes. We've hopefully rectified that in training."
Meanwhile, Bath captain Stuart Hooper and fly-half Tom Heathcote both return to the visitors' starting line-up as Stephen Donald is not included in the matchday squad.
Olly Barkley is named at inside centre, alongside Matt Banahan, who shifts to outside centre from the wing. Matt Carraro starts on the wing, with Tom Biggs on the opposite side.
With Sale sitting seventh in the table and Bath eighth, both sides will be anxious for the win as they target a top-six finish and Heineken Cup qualification.
Victory for Sale would see them overhaul Gloucester in sixth, but it is likely to be shortlived, given that the Cherry and Whites host Newcastle on Saturday, when Wasps visit Quins, Northampton tackle Leicester, Saracens travel to London Irish and Worcester entertain Exeter.
Sale Sharks: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Sam Tuitupou (c), 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Nick Macleod, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Andy Powell, 7 David Seymour, 6 James Gaskell, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Andrei Ostrikov, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Joe Ward, 1 Andrew Sheridan
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Vadim Cobilas, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Cillian Willis, 22 Will Addison, 23 Charlie Amesbury
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Matt Carraro, 13 Matt Banahan, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Tom Heathcote, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Simon Taylor, 7 Carl Fearns, 6 Ben Skirving, 5 Stuart Hooper (c), 4 Dave Attwood, 3 David Wilson, 2 Ross Batty, 1 Nathan Catt
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Charlie Beech, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Ryan Caldwell, 20 Josh Ovens, 21 Mark McMillan, 22 Sam Vesty, 23 Dan Hipkiss