Wasps v Sale: Teams

Coach Ian McGeechan has made six changes to his Wasps side to face Sale on Sunday following last weekend's heavy defeat to Harlequins.

Summer signing Lachlan Mitchell, who made his debut against Quins, retains his place but has been moved to full back switching with Mark Van Gisbergen who will start in the centres alongside Josh Lewsey.

Academy player Chris Bishay comes in on the wing in place of Mossy Lawler, while Joe Simpson and Dave Walder form a new-look half-back pairing at nine and ten.

Simpson - nominated for the IRB Young Player of the Year Award at this Sunday's IRB Awards - gets the nod to make his first start with the seniors following an impressive try-scoring showing at The Stoop last week.

In the pack, Tom French replaces England starter Tim Payne in the front row and is joined by club captain Raphael Ibanez who returns at the expense of Rob Webber.

The only other change up front sees Dan Leo come in at blindside flanker in place of John Hart who is named amongst the replacements alongside new signing Damien Varley and Michael Holford.

Wasps coach McGeechan said ahead of the match: "Sale are a strong side who are always in the mix and we know it will be a challenging game on Sunday. They have provided us with some of our most competitive games over the seasons and it will be key for us to rediscover the consistency we have shown in our last two home games."

Sale changes

The Sharks will have Jason White, Eifion Roberts and Mathew Tait all back in the side for the trip to Adams Park.

England international centre Tait suffered a hamstring injury in last week's defeat by Worcester but has been cleared to play and is named on the bench.

Sale made a blistering start to the season but have slipped out of the play-off places in recent weeks, while champions Wasps are just a point off the bottom after a woeful start to the year.

Sale director of Rugby Philippe Saint Andre said: "This is a big game for both clubs. We are both missing several players, however we have received a boost this week with Jason White, Eifion Roberts and Mathew Tait returning.

"Everyone at the club is disappointed with our current form and the way we lost to Worcester Warriors last Friday and we are keen to draw a line under it and get our season back on track as soon as possible."

Wasps: 15. Lachlan Mitchell, 14. Chris Bishay, 13. Josh Lewsey, 12. Mark Van Gisbergen, 11. Tom Voyce, 10. Dave Walder, 9. Joe Simpson; 1. Tom French, 2. Raphael Ibanez (c), 3. Pat Barnard, 4. George Skivington, 5. Richard Birkett, 6. Dan Leo, 7. Serge Betsen, 8. Joe Worsley
Replacements: 16. Rob Webber, 17. Damien Varley, 18. Michael Holford, 19. John Hart, 20. Mark Robinson, 21. Hugo Ellis, 22. Jeremy Staunton

Sale: Nick Macleod, Mark Cueto, Luke McAlister, Chris Bell, David Doherty, Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth, Eifion Roberts, Marc Jones, Stuart Turner, Dean Schofield, Jason White, David Tait, Neil Briggs, Carl Fearns.
Replacements: David Ward, Rob O'Donnell, Brent Cockbain, Luke Abrahams, Chris Leck, Mathew Tait, Andy Tuilagi.