Sale v London Irish: Teams

Lee Thomas will be absent from Sale's Guinness Premiership clash with London Irish due to a groin injury.

With Charlie Hodgson also missing, director of rugby Kingsley Jones has brought in former Cardiff Blues centre Nick MacLeod to wear the No.10 jersey.

Also absent with injury are Dwayne Peel and Kristian Ormsby, who Jones insists are on the way to recovery and will be back "very soon".

Sharks welcome back No.8 Sisa Koyamaibole after he impressed against Leicester in their opening game of the season.

"With Sale Sharks this season we have several new faces and it will take time to get everything right," said Jones.

"We have had to go back to basics and Friday's game is like a cup final for us, playing against quality opposition.

Strong

"They are a good side who have started this year where they left off last year.

"Toby Booth has got a settled group of players and their squad was enhanced with the signing of Ryan Lamb from Gloucester."

Meanwhile, Chris Malone will make his first start for London Irish at fly-half.

Malone has given strong performances in his two appearances off the bench over the past fortnight.

Head coach Tony Booth has altered the line-up that played London Wasps last weekend with Dan Murphy, Danie Coetzee and Richard Thorpe rotating with Clarke Dermody, David Paice and Declan Danaher respectively.

"We have a strong squad and with only a five day turnaround between matches this week it is important to use the resources at our disposal," said Booth.

"Chris Malone's experience will be important at Edgeley Park tomorrow night.

"Whatever the time of year Friday evening matches away at Sale are always difficult and I expect this one will be no different."

Sale Sharks: 15 Marika Vakacegu, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Andy Tuilagi, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Nick Macleod, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 1 Andrew Sheridan, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 3 Eifion Roberts, 4 Brent Cockbain, 5 Dean Schofield, 6 James Gaskell, 7 Dave Seymour, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Jack Forster, 18 Gavin Kerr, 19 Neil Briggs, 20 David Tait, 21 Will Ciff, 22 Johnny Kennedy, 23 Oriol Ripol.

London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Chris Malone, 9 Paul Hodgson, 1 Dan Murphy, 2 Danie Coetzee, 3 Paulica Ion, 4 Nick Kennedy, 5 Bob Casey, 6 Richard Thorpe, 7 Steffon Armitage, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia.
Replacements: 16, Clarke Dermody, 17 David Paice, 18 Faan Rautenbach, 19 Andy Perry, 20 Declan Danaher, 21 Ryan Lamb, 22 Peter Richards, 23 Alfredo Lalanne.