Sale v Worcester: Teams

Sale Sharks director of rugby Kingsley Jones claims "they don't come any bigger" than Friday's clash with Worcester.

Both clubs have found themselves embroiled in a scrap at the bottom of the table, with Sale holding a two-point advantage over bottom club Worcester.

And with just five games left, victory will be a massive survival boost for either side.

Sale, though, will be buoyed by the return of England internationals Mark Cueto and Mathew Tait, while big-tackling Welshman Lee Thomas is included.

Jones said:"They don't come any bigger than this. It's a huge game for everyone connected with the club.

"I watched Worcester's game last week against Leicester Tigers and picked up some pointers.

"We welcome back Lee Thomas and Eifion Roberts after injury and both Mark Cueto and Mathew Tait will be playing their first home games for us since January."

Worcester director or rugby Mike Ruddock is expected a full-on physical encounter against the Sharks.

As a result he has named a side with this in mind, so exciting academy graduate Greg King comes into the centres, with Chris Pennell returning to the wing and Chris Fortey named at hooker.

Game plan

"With a specific game plan in mind, I have selected a team that I believe can execute this plan," said Ruddock.

"Chris Fortey comes into the pack after recovering from a recent injury. He is an experienced and hardened campaigner and it will be good to have his leadership qualities in our pack going into battle at Edgeley Park.

"Chris Pennell returns after illness and his big right foot gives us an extra weapon in terms of the kicking game should it be required. He is also a useful player to have should we need to use him for any long range kicks at goal.

"Greg King comes in to replace the injured Sam Tuitupou. Greg has always played well for us when called upon and his performance at Northampton, at the start of the season, would be an example of that.

"It's going to be a physical encounter and his physicality, harnessed alongside the experience of Dale Rasmussen, will provide a tough test for the Sale attackers."

Sale: 15 Marika Vakacegu, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Lee Thomas, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 1 Eifion Roberts, 2 Neil Briggs, 3 Jack Forster, 4 Chris Jones, 5 Dean Schofield, 6 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 David Seymour, 8 Kristian Ormsby.
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Gavin Kerr, 18 Rob O'Donnell, 19 Sean Cox, 20 Marc Jones, 21 Chris Leck, 22 Jonny Kennedy, 23 Dafydd James.

Warriors: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Chris Pennell, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Greg King, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Willie Walker, 9 Jonny Arr, 1 Adam Black, 2 Chris Fortey, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 5 Craig Gillies, 6 Tom Wood, 7 Pat Sanderson (c), 8 Kai Horstmann.
Replacements: 16 Callum Black, 17 Aleki Lutui, 18 Olivier Sourgens, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Chris Cracknell, 21 Ryan Powell, 22 Matthew Jones, 23 Alex Grove