Alex Sanderson has made two changes to his Sharks side to face Gloucester
- 214
England internationals Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Asher Opoku-Fordjour team up once again in a powerful Sharks front-row, with Ernst van Rhyn and Jonny Hill combining for the third consecutive game in the second-row.
In the back-row, last week’s player of the match Ben Curry captains the side again from openside, and he’ll be joined by twin brother Tom at blindside flanker and JL du Preez at number 8.
Raffi Quirke starts at scrum-half once again and he’ll have fellow academy graduate Tom Curtis for company at half-back. Despite taking a knock against the Bears, Luke James is fit to start alongside Rob du Preez again in the centres.
In the back-three, Tom O’Flaherty and Tom Roebuck start again on the wings with Joe Carpenter at full-back.
Ethan Caine, Si McIntyre and WillGriff John will cover the front row from the replacements bench, with Josh Beaumont, Sam Dugdale and Dan du Preez the other forwards making up a 6-2 bench split.
Gus Warr and Sam Bedlow are the backs replacements.
Sale Sharks Starting XV:
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Luke James, 11. Tom O’Flaherty, 10. Tom Curtis, 9. Raffi Quirke, 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 4. Ernst van Rhyn, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Tom Curry, 7. Ben Curry ©, 8. JL du Preez.
Replacements:
16. Ethan Caine, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. WillGriff John, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Dan du Preez, 21. Gus Warr, 22. Sam Bedlow, 23. Sam Dugdale.
Match stats:
Gloucester Rugby’s three game winning run in Gallagher Premiership Rugby ended with their 15-22 reversal at Exeter on Sunday.
Gloucester’s only defeat in their last five matches at Kingsholm in all competitions was 7-31 to Exeter in the Premiership Rugby Cup in November.
Sale Sharks have won their last three Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches, all with a try bonus point, since their 13-40 loss at Bath in Round 6.
Sharks’ 38-0 victory at Bristol in Round 9 was their first away win in the competition since May.
The Sharks have lost only one of their last six encounters with Gloucester: 20-32 on their most recent visit to Kingsholm on 28 January 2024.
Sale have won on four of their last six visits to Kingsholm.
