Sale v Saracens: Teams

Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint Andre has insisted his side will "take the positives" from their defeat against Gloucester into their clash with Saracens.

The Sharks failed to live with the Cherry and Whites after the interval as they succumbed to a 31-12 defeat.

However Saint Andre saw enough in that performance to give him hope for the visit of Saracens.

He told the club's official website: "We played well in the first half last week at Gloucester, but the sin binning straight after the break killed us off.

"We need to build on the positives and play as we did against Wasps and Bristol.

Challenge

"Saracens are a good side, well organised and well coached, but we are ready for the challenge."

Scotland back Rory Lamont is set to make his Sale debut against Sarries, although fellow countryman Jason White will miss the match with a slight knee injury.

Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney knows his side face a tough prospect when they take on Sale.

The Sarries were only just edged out in the corresponding fixture last season, and Gaffney is confident his side can go one better on Friday night.

He told the club's official site: "We're pleased with the start that we have made to the season, but we know that travelling to Edgeley Park is a tough prospect.

"We lost up there last year, but we gave them a pretty good run for their money even though at one point we had two men in the sin bin.

Form

"They are also starting to get some of their internationals back in the team and Charlie Hodgson is returning to form so we know they are a very strong side.

"But we're looking forward to it. We've started with four wins out of five, but we're not satisfied. We want to make it five wins out of six to give us a great platform as we move into the cup competitions."

Gaffney has named former Shark Iain Fullarton and Fiji international Sakiusa Matadigo in his pack for the match, while Italy hooker Fabio Ongaro is named on the bench.

Sale: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Rory Lamont, 13 Rudi Keil, 12 Lee Thomas, 11 Oriol Ripol, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 1 Lionel Faure, 2 Neil Briggs, 3 Ben Evans, 4 Dean Schofield, 5 Sean Cox, 6 Chris Jones, 7 Magnus Lund, 8 Nathan Bonner Evans.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Stuart Turner, 18 Chris Day, 19 David Tait, 20 Sililo Martens, 21 Elvis Seveali'I, 22 Chris Mayor.

Saracens: 15 Richard Haughton, 14 Edd Thrower, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Rodd Penney, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock (c), 1 Kevin Yates, 2 Matt Cairns, 3 Cencus Johnston, 4 Iain Fullarton, 5 Kris Chesney, 6 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 David Seymour, 8 Ben Skirving.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Tom Mercey, 18 Tom Ryder, 19 Don Barrell, 20 Alan Dickens, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Noah Cato.