Sale v London Irish - Aviva Premiership match preview
Sale Sharks have drafted Cameron Shepherd into their starting line-up for the Aviva Premiership clash with London Irish.
Last Updated: 02/11/12 7:30pm
The Australia international will make his first start for the Sharks since his summer arrival from Super Rugby outfit Western Force, which followed the collapse of a proposed move to Northampton.
Shepherd's inclusion on the left wing sees Mark Cueto switch to the right, with Tom Brady dropping to the bench.
The only other change from the side beaten at Worcester last time out sees Richie Gray come into the second row for Kearnan Myall.
For London Irish, Marland Yarde has recovered from injury and returns to the Exiles' starting XV on the left wing.
As a result, Sailosi Tagicakibau moves into the centres in place of the absent Jonathan Joseph, while Darren Allinson starts his first match of the season at scrum-half and will form a half-back partnership with Ian Humphreys.
Elsewhere, Scott Lawson starts at hooker and George Skivington is named as a replacement after recovering from injury.
Sale Sharks: 15 Nick Macleod, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Cillian Willis, 8 Andy Powell 7 David Seymour (capt ), 6 Richie Vernon, 5 Fraser McKenzie, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Ross Harrison.
Replacements: 16 Joe Ward, 17 Eifion Lewis-Roberts, 18 Vadim Cobilas, 19 Kearnan Myall, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Dwayne Peel, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Tom Brady
London Irish: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Guy Armitage, 12 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Darren Allinson, 8 Chris Hala'ufia 7 Jamie Gibson, 6 Declan Danaher (Captain), 5 Matt Garvey, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Halani Aulika, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Max Lahiff.
Replacements: 16 Brian Blaney, 17 Cai Griffiths, 18 Leo Halavatau, 19 George Skivington, 20 Ofisa Treviranus, 21 Steven Shingler, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Jack Moates
What they said...
London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith
"Friday evening will be a big test of how far we have come this season. We played some great rugby last weekend and were disappointed not to see it through.
"We need to make amends tomorrow night. We face a difficult challenge; Sale are a good side with some great players so it will be a tough ask but one we are looking forward to."
