Premiership Rugby Cup Final going ahead as planned, line ups and preview

Harlequins and Sale Sharks have named their squads for the Premiership Cup Final on Sunday at the AJ Bell stadium. Premiership Rugby have confirmed they are pressing ahead as planned with final in Manchester.

English rugby authorities have insisted on letting the final take place despite the postponement of three Six Nations matches and the indefinite suspension of the PRO14.

A statement from Premiership Rugby read: “The welfare of our fans, players and staff is our first concern and we are working in close contact with DCMS, Public Health England and World Health Organisation, following all the experts’ advice.

“Based on this advice, and in consultation with the teams, we have decided to run the Premiership Rugby Cup this Sunday at the AJ Bell Stadium, as planned.

“We will continue to work closely with government on a schedule for the remainder of the season, should the guidance on sporting events change.

“We will keep updating our plans with new information as it is released, and ensure our clubs and fans are updated with developments as soon as they happen.”

Moving onto the team news, James Lang returns to the Quins squad is, having been injured for several months but reclaims his spot in the midfield with All Black Francis Saili who makes his first start after an injury lay-off, having come off the bench in the past two matches.

Luke Northmore retains his spot on the wing, with Gabriel Ibitoye hoping to continue his try scoring form in the competition on the other flank.

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Fijian international Tevita Cavubati replaces the injured Matt Symons in the second row, joined by Glen Young, and South African Stephan Lewies, who is set to make his return from a few weeks out, being named as a Game Changer.

Steve Diamond, on the other hand, has made two changes to the Sharks’ matchday squad that defeated London Irish in round 13 of the Premiership, with Internationals Mark Wilson and Valeriy Morozov set for a return to club action after being named as replacements this weekend.

Sale Sharks’ most capped player Ross Harrison returns to the starting line-up for Sunday afternoon’s final, swapping places with Coenie Oosthuizen at loose-head prop with the Springbok featuring as replacement tighthead in the absence of Will-Griff John.

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Harrison’s inclusion is the only change to the pack ahead of Premiership Rugby’s showpiece event at the AJ Bell Stadium.