European Champions Cup: Sale Sharks v Munster preview
Last Updated: 17/10/14 9:58pm
Sale Sharks return to continental action on Saturday with a European Rugby Champions Cup showdown with Irish giants Munster at the AJ Bell Stadium.
After a two-year exile from Europe’s elite competition, Steve Diamond’s Sharks make their comeback in one of the most demanding groups, with Clermont Auvergne and last year’s finalists Saracens joining two-time champions Munster in Pool 1.
Munster, who have won four of their opening six Guinness PRO12 clashes, head into Europe on the back of successive victories, while Sale have won just two of their six Premiership outings to date.
The sides have been hit with a 1pm kick-off time, which Munster boss Anthony Foley admits causes havoc with their planning.
“It’s about making sure of our preparation for a one o’clock kick, that the 1pm start time it’s not a shock,” the coach said.
“We’d have talked about it to the boys that 7.30am can’t be the first time on Saturday morning when they have breakfast this week, they have to have it four or five times during the week.
“They have to be used to eating at that time and holding down the food and be able to train on the back of it. The boys have to get an enormous amount of food into them before 1pm so they can sustain an effort in the game. It’s that, it’s sleep, it’s everything. It’s the little things that you mightn’t consider going into the game.”
The Sharks are more concerned by the formidable opposition they face, with English eligible lock Michael Paterson aiming to make a strong start to the campaign.
"It's a tough ask, the pool,” the New Zealand-born lock said. “The pool of death or pool of doom, whatever they're calling it. We just have to do our jobs right and put in a performance we're proud of.
"That again starts up front but in terms of the season and the Premiership, there's still loads of games to go.
"We're still improving and we've got boys coming back from injury so we will see where we end up in May next year."
Team news
Sale director of rugby Diamond welcomes back Sam Tuitupou, who makes his first start of the season in the opening European clash.
Tuituopou, who sustained an ankle injury in pre-season, will play inside Johnny Leota in the midfield, while Danny Cipriani and Chris Cusiter continue their ever-evolving half-back partnership.
Michael Haley is named at full-back with Tom Brady and Tom Arscott occupying the wing berths.
For Munster, talismanic Ireland lock Paul O’Connell has overcome midweek fears over his fitness to take his place alongside Dave Foley in the second row, while captain Peter O’Mahony joins Tommy O’Donnell and CJ Stander in the back row.
British and Irish Lions scrum-half Conor Murray starts in the No 9 jersey with Ian Keatley beside him and Felix Jones joins Andrew Conway and Simon Zebo in a n exciting back three.
The centre pairing of Andrew Smith and Denis Hurley remains, while Dave Kilcoyne teams up with Duncan Casey and Stephen Archer in the front row.
Sale Sharks: 15 Michael Haley; 14 Tom Brady, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Tom Arscott; 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Chris Cusiter; 1 Eifion Lewis-Roberts, 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 Ross Harrison, 18 Alberto de Marchi, 19 Andrei Ostrikov, 20 Josh Beaumont, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Mark Jennings
Munster: 15 Felix Jones; 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Denis Hurley, 11 Simon Zebo; 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Dave Kilcoyne, 2 Duncan Casey, 3 Stephen Archer, 4 Dave Foley, 5 Paul O’Connell, 6 Peter O’Mahony (capt), 7 Tommy O’Donnell, 8 CJ Stander.
Replacements: 16 Eusebio Guinazu, 17 James Cronin, 18 BJ Botha, 19 Billy Holland, 20 Robin Copeland, 21 Duncan Williams, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Gerhard van den Heever.
Watch Sale Sharks v Munster live on Sky Sports 2HD from 12:30pm
