Sale v Worcester: Teams

Worcester coach Mike Ruddock welcomes back fly-half Shane Drahm as he makes two changes for the Guinness Premiership clash with Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park.

Drahm is handed the number ten jersey with Samoan international Loki Crichton ruled out through injury, while James Brown drops to the bench for the Warriors.

Ruddock also makes a change in the back row with Tom Wood replacing Drew Hickey.

Centre Dale Rasmussen is declared fit to face the Sharks and takes his place in the starting line-up, but Darren Morris misses out with a stinger injury.

Meanwhile, Sale coach Philippe Saint Andre has named lock Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe as captain for the Sharks.

Big game

Sale know a win will keep them in the title hunt as they look to reduce Gloucester's seven-point lead at the top of the Guinness Premiership table.

"This is a big game for both clubs," said Saint Andre.

"We need to keep up our challenge for a play-off place and Worcester need the win to pull away from the relegation area.

"We will respect Worcester as they are a far better side than their league placing shows.

"I have only made a few changes this week in an effort to give members of the squad some quality game time, but we wanted to keep the momentum going after last week's win at Leicester.

"However all my players know they need to perform well, every week, as we have other players waiting to take their place in the 22."

Sale Sharks: 15 Mark Cueto, 14 Rory Lamont, 13 Chris Bell, 12 Lee Thomas, 11 Oriol Ripol, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Sililo Martens, 1 Andrew Sheridan, 2 Sebastien Bruno, 3 Stuart Turner, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe (capt), 5 Brent Cockbain, 6 Chris Jones, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 8 Sebastien Chabal.

Replacements:16 Neil Briggs, 17 Eifion Roberts, 18 Dean Schofield, 19 Magnus Lund, 20 Richard Wigglesworth, 21 Elvis Seveali'I, 22 Luke McAlister.

Worcester Warriors: 15 Thinus Delport, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Shane Drahm, 9 Matt Powell, 1 Tony Windo, 2 Aleki Lutui, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 5 Craig Gillies, 6 Tom Wood, 7 Pat Sanderson (capt), 8 Kai Horstmann.

Replacements:16 Shaun Ruwers, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Will Bowley, 19 Drew Hickey, 20 Ryan Powell, 21 James Brown, 22 Marcel Garvey.