Wasps v Sale: Teams
Wasps head coach Shaun Edwards insists his side must beat Sale on Sunday if they are to revive their campaign.
By Tony Curtis
Last Updated: 04/03/11 4:52pm
Wasps head coach Shaun Edwards insists his side must beat Sale on Sunday if they are to revive their Premiership campaign.
Wasps remain in touch with the play-offs despite dropping to eighth - and Edwards knows his side can't afford any more slip-ups.
"It is vital that we win this weekend to get our season back on track," said Edwards.
"Games between ourselves and Sale have been traditionally very close and competitive."
Ben Jacobs, Joe Ward, Joe Worsley, Simon Shaw and Dan Ward-Smith all return to the starting XV for the match, with Richard Haughton moving to full-back.
Sale hooker Neil Briggs makes his long-awaited return to action for the trip to Adams Park.
Briggs has been sidelined since he was injured in training back in November - however he has been passed fit to return, with Aston Croall named on the bench.
Sharks coach Pete Anglesea said: "We're looking to continue from last week's game against the Tigers, where the lads showed plenty of heart and spirit, but we are aware that, to get anything against the Wasps, we'll have to put in a massive performance."
London Wasps: 15 Richard Haughton, 14 Ben Jacobs, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 David Lemi, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Dan Ward-Smith, 7 Joe Worsley, 6 John Hart, 5 Richard Birkett (c), 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Joe Ward, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements:16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Bob Baker, 18 Zak Taulafo, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 James Cannon, 21 Nic Berry, 22 Mark van Gisbergen, 23 Andy Powell
Sale Sharks: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Chris Bell, 12 Kyle Tonetti, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Sisaro Koyamaibole 7 Neil McMillan, 6 James Gaskell (c), 5 Sean Cox, 4 Chris Jones, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Lee Imiolek,
Replacements: 16 Aston Croall, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Jack Forster, 19 Wame Lewaravu, 20 Nic Rouse, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Nick Macleod, 23 Paul Williams.