Sharks v Warriors: Teams
Sale have been boosted by the return of Andrew Sheridan and Mark Cueto to their starting line-up for Friday's clash against Worcester.
Last Updated: 10/02/12 10:10pm
Sale have been boosted by the return of Andrew Sheridan and Mark Cueto to their starting line-up for Friday's Aviva Premiership game against Worcester at Edgeley Park.
Sheridan last played for the club against Exeter Chiefs on Good Friday - the 32-year-old prop has been sidelined for the past few months with a shoulder injury which forced him to miss England's World Cup campaign.
Cueto's last appearance for the club was more recent - Boxing Day - when he scored a late opportunist try to secure a league victory over Newcastle.
James Gaskell, David Seymour and Kearnan Myall return from duty with the Saxons, whilst Hendre Fourie switches flanks.
Head coach Tony Hanks said: "We're really looking forward to our return to Aviva Premiership action.
"During training this week, a step up in intensity among the guys has been evident. This game against the Warriors will be a benchmark to see how far we've progressed since our meeting on the opening day of the season.
"It's great to have our Saxons players back available for selection, together with Andrew Sheridan.
"The medical staff have done a great job getting him back in shape, and it's testament to the hard work that Andrew's put in that he's able to return slightly ahead of schedule. He's been buzzing this week. Hendre Fourie, too, has made a great impression upon his return, and there's great competition for places here now."
Debut
Number eight Blair Cowan will make his Aviva Premiership debut for the Warriors.
Cowan, who signed from Cornish Pirates last month, has impressed in the LV= Cup in recent weeks and is now given his full league debut as the visitors aim to make it three successive Aviva Premiership victories.
Head coach Richard Hill also makes changes at half-back from the side that defeated Gloucester last month as experienced duo Andy Goode and Shaun Perry, who will captain the team from scrum-half, team up.
Prop George Porter is rewarded for a number of eye-catching displays with a place among the replacements along with Danny Gray and Ravai Fatiaki, who this week both signed new deals at Warriors.
"This is a crucial game for both teams as they will want to return to winnings ways in the league and we know a win would put us close to them in the standings," said Hill.
"This week, with Phil Larder back, we feel we are back on track with our defence and if we can combine that with the attack of recent weeks then we should move on another level in terms of our performance.
"The conditions up north could dictate the game. If we get snow and bad conditions under foot, then maybe the attacking rugby will have to take a back seat to the more pragmatic and territorial game.
"If we can reach the level of performance we did against Gloucester then there is an opportunity to get a positive result. However, Sale are a difficult team and they might be bolstered by the return of some key players so I expect them to put a big pack out against us."
Sale: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Sam Tuitupou (capt), 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Nick Macleod, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Mark Easter, 7 David Seymour, 6 Hendre Fourie, 5 James Gaskell, 4 Andrei Ostrikov, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Marc Jones, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Joe Ward, 17 Lee Imiolek, 18 Vadim Cobilas, 19 Kearnan Myall, 20 Richie Vernon, 21 Cillian Willis, 22 Will Addison, 23 Luther Burrell.
Worcester: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Dale Rasmussen, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Shaun Perry (capt), 8 Blair Cowan, 7 Jake Abbott, 6 Sam Betty, 5 Chris Jones, 4 James Percival, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Matt Mullan.
Replacements: 16 George Porter, 17 Ed Shervington, 18 Oliver Tomaszczyk, 19 Craig Gillies, 20 Matt Kvesic, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Danny Gray, 23 Ravai Fatiaki.
