Sharks sweating on 'monster' Sheridan
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:48
Sale Sharks have picked a team packed with international experience for their opening Guinness Premiership match of the season against Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Sunday.
Sale Director of Rugby Philippe Saint-Andre revealed that he due to the quality of his squad, he has had to leave out some very good players ahead of the match.
"This will be a tough game for us. Kingston Park has never been a happy hunting ground for us, but we hope to end our poor record there on Sunday," Saint-Andre said.
"We have had a good pre-season and we have had to upset a few players this weekend by not picking them.
"The 22 involved on Sunday know that we have a good squad this year and competition for places will be intense, so they need to perform well to hold onto their jersey."
However, the Sharks still have some injury doubts ahead of the clash, with prop Andrew Sheridan (hamstring) and Rory Lamont (arm) both needing to pass late fitness tests on Saturday to prove their match readiness.
Sebastien Bruno (knee) is one player who has definitely succumbed to injury, and he will miss the match in the North East.
If Sheridan and Lamont prove their fitness they will be named among the replacements.
The Sharks trio of Martin Halsall, Kristian Ormsby and Oriol Ripol will also be travelling with the team to Newcastle.
Sale Sharks: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Luke McAlister, 12 Lee Thomas, 11 David Doherty, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Sebastien Chabal, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (captain), 6 Luke Abraham, 5 Dean Schofield, 4 Chris Jones, 3 Eifion Roberts, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Lionel Faure.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Andrew Sheridan, 18 Brent Cockbain, 19 Sean Cox, 20 Richard Wigglesworth, 21 Chris Bell, 22 Rory Lamont.
Date: Sunday, September 7
Venue: Kingston Park, Newcastle
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Martin Fox
Touch judges: Alan Hughes, Paul Emerson
TMO: Trevor Parlett
With thanks to guinnesspremiership.com
