European Rugby Champions Cup: Saracens v Sale Sharks preview

Saracens will be hoping to turn in a much-improved display when they host Sale Sharks at Allianz Park in the European Rugby Champions Cup on Saturday.

Despite claiming victory in the first of two matches in as many weeks against their Aviva Premiership rivals at the AJ Bell Stadium last weekend, the 2014 European finalists lacked gusto and only just held on to claim a 19-15 win.

Still, it was enough to ensure their Champions Cup campaign remained intact and Saracens now stand level on points with Munster, one behind Pool One leaders Clermont Auvergne following their shock victory in Limerick.

Three defeats from three means Sale’s competition is all over bar the shouting, but Saracens can rest assured there will be plenty of shouting from their Premiership adversaries, who will still be keen to get one over them following last weekend’s close shave.

Sharks captain Magnus Lund turned in a stellar performance and fly-half Danny Cipriani executed moments of brilliance, though neither were enough to nullify 11 points from Owen Farrell – a try and drop-goal included – as well as a Charlie Hodgson penalty and Billy Vunipola try.

Despite their below-par performance in Salford, Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has largely kept the faith in his side, with just one change to the run-on team.

Farrell returns to his familiar fly-half berth at the expense of Charlie Hodgson, with Duncan Taylor moving to inside centre to accommodate the return of Chris Wyles as his midfield partner.

Alex Goode continues at full-back with fellow England internationals Chris Ashton and David Strettle treading the wings and Richard Wigglesworth completes the back-line at scrum-half.

Pack retained

It is as you were in the pack for Sarries, with Mako Vunipola resuming on the comeback trail after a lengthy spell out injured; he is again joined by Jamie George and Petrus du Plessis in the front row, with George Kruis and captain Alistair Hargreaves completing the front five.

Last weekend’s try-scorer Billy Vunipola will again drive the pack from No 8 and is joined by Kelly Brown and Jacques Burger in the back three.

In contrast, Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond has made eight changes to his Sale side ahead of the trip to London.

Winger Luke McLean is replaced by Tom Brady, who joins the retained Michael Haley and Mark Cueto in the back three, while Will Addison comes into the midfield to join Mark Jennings.

Half-back pairing Cipriani and Chris Cusiter are left out of the matchday squad, with Nick MacLeod and Will Cliff stepping into the starting berth.

Vadim Cobilas is the lone front-rower to keep his place as Eifion Lewis-Roberts and Marc Jones lose their places to Ross Harrison and Shalva Mamukashvili.

Nathan Hines makes a welcome return to join try-scorer from last weekend Andrei Ostrikov in the second row, while Lund drops out to pave way for club captain Dan Braid to return.

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode; 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Chris Wyles, 12 Duncan Taylor, 11 David Strettle; 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Petrus du Plessis, 4 George Kruis, 5 Alistair Hargreaves (capt), 6 Kelly Brown, 7 Jacques Burger, 8 Billy Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 James Johnston, 19 Jim Hamilton, 20 Jackson Wray, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Charlie Hodgson, 23 Ben Ransom

Sale Sharks: 15 Michael Haley; 14 Tom Brady, 13 Will Addison, 12 Mark Jennings, 11 Mark Cueto; 10 Nick MacLeod, 9 Will Cliff; 1 Ross Harrison, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 4 Nathan Hines, 5 Andrei Ostrikov, 6 Mark Easter, 7 Dan Braid (capt), 8 Josh Beaumont
Replacements: 16 Cameron Neild, 17 Eifion Lewis-Roberts, 18 James Flynn, 19 Jon Mills, 20 Andrew Hughes, 21 Nathan Fowles, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Andy Forsyth

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