Kingsley Jones: Hodgson is the key
Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:44
Sale Sharks play their game in hand on Friday against London Wasps and Kingsley Jones has announced the team to play "the game that will shape the rest of our season".
After nearly 9,000 left Edgeley Park back in November 2009 without seeing a game of rugby, Sale Sharks have had their game against Wasps lingering for almost four months and it is now a must-win.
A break in the fixtures has meant that the players, coaching staff and Kingsley Jones have had a chance to refresh before the last phase of the Guinness Premiership fixture calendar.
"This Friday, we have a game plan that can beat Wasps," said Jones.
"Historically we've had a good success rate over London Wasps, beating them 31-3 [December 2008] and 16-0 [October 2007] at home. I think the key against Wasps is for us to have a very good kicking strategy. Charlie [Hodgson] is the key to that."
Earlier this week Hodgson was called into the England squad as cover for Jonny Wilkinson, but he was released back to Sale on Wednesday.
"I was more than worried when I heard Charlie could be Jonny Wilkinson’s back up. I was on my knees when I saw Jonny went down against Scotland," Jones explained.
"Everyone in the pub wondered why a Welsh man was making such a fuss over him. Not to have Charlie in the full preparation this week isn't great, but to miss him for the game would have been a major blow. He’s back and he’s an important player for us.
On Friday night though it’s about everyone, the 23 of us, fronting up and really putting it to Wasps. If we put in a big performance, start well and improve from our game against Northampton we will go up the table. We need to respect them throughout the game, be patient and keep our discipline."
Looking at the team to face Wasps tomorrow, Jones explained, "I have decided to play Kristian Ormsby at No. 8 for this game; he has experience in this position playing in New Zealand and gives me move options as does the return of Luke Abraham who has missed the last eight weeks. With Ormsby at Number 8, Sisa’s extra weight at flank will help our scrum."
Sale Sharks: 15 Marika Vakacegu, 14 Dafydd James, 13 Jonny Kennedy, 12 Nick Macleod, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Kristian Ormsby, 7 Luke Abraham, 6 Sisa Koyamaibole, 5 Dean Schofield, 4 Chris Jones, 3 Jack Forster, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Eifion Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Gavin Kerr, 18 Rob O’Donnell, 19 Sean Cox, 20 Carl Fearns, 21 David Seymour, 22 Chris Leck, 23 David Bishop.
Date: Friday, March 19.
Venue: Edgeley Park
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Referee: Chris White
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