Team news: Sale Sharks

Tom Roebuck, Raffi Quirke and Bevan Rodd return from England duty to take their places in a strong Sharks matchday squad to face Gloucester on Saturday (KO 1pm – live on BT Sport), as Alex Sanderson’s men look to return to winning ways in the Gallagher Premiership.

Jean-Luc du Preez and Akker van der Merwe are also back after missing the defeat at Saracens through injury while club stalwart Ross Harrison makes his first league start of the season against George Skivington’s side.

Despite Van der Merwe’s return to fitness following an ankle injury picked up against London Irish, Tommy Taylor keeps his place at hooker and he’s flanked by Harrison and Nick Schonert in the front row.

With Jonny Hill selected as part of the England squad to face Argentina at the weekend, ill HiJosh Beaumont starts again in the second row and he’s joined by Jean-Luc du Preez.

The back row is unchanged from the clash with Saracens at the StoneX, with captain Ben Curry joined by blindside flanker Jono Ross and Dan du Preez at number eight.

Gus Warr and Rob du Preez start together again at half-back with Sam Hill and the ever-present Sam James in the centres.

Roebuck goes straight back into the starting line-up after returning from England duty, and he’s joined in a pacy back three by Arron Reed and Joe Carpenter.

Van der Merwe, Rodd and James Harper provide front-row cover on the bench, with Sam Dugdale and Dom Barrow covering the rest of the forwards.

Raffi Quirke, Tom Curtis and Byron McGuigan are the backs replacements.

Speaking ahead of the game Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said he was glad to be able to call on some of his most important players after a bruising encounter at the StoneX in round eight.

He said: “We had five or six questions marks on Monday but they’ve all come through other than Si McIntyre and Tom O’Flaherty, who has broken his jaw.

“Everyone else is in a really positive place and we’re not far off having a full squad to pick from. This game is massive and that’s why I’m so excited.

Sale Sharks Starting XV:  

15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Sam James, 12. Sam Hill, 11. Arron Reed, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Ross Harrison, 2. Tommy Taylor, 3. Nick Schonert, 4. Jean-Luc du Preez, 5. Josh Beaumont, 6. Jono Ross, 7. Ben Curry ©, 8. Daniel du Preez

Replacements:  

16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Bevan Rodd, 18. James Harper, 19. Dom Barrow, 20. Sam Dugdale, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Tom Curtis, 23. Byron McGuigan.