Newcastle Red Bulls team to face Sale Sharks

The South African comes in as one of six changes for the 7.45pm kick-off at Corpacq Stadium, with fit-again centre Max Clark returning to the side.

Ethan Grayson slides to full-back with Elliott Obatoyinbo on the wing – Newcastle’s other three changes all coming in the forward pack.

Fergus Lee-Warner makes his first start on the blind-side flank having debuted from the bench last weekend at Exeter, Adam Brocklebank comes in at loose-head prop and Richard Palframan starts on the tight-head side, with a head knock ruling out Luan de Bruin.

Head coach Alan Dickens, a former Sale Sharks player, said: “It’s the league’s derby weekend, and whilst I know everyone talks about the distance between Newcastle and Manchester this is still a really important rivalry for rugby in the north of England.

“It would make a big statement if we go over there and get a result, and that has to be the mind-set.

“We know it’s a tough place to go but we’ve prepared well, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Looking for major improvements following last weekend’s loss at Exeter Chiefs, Dickens added: “Our set-piece is a big focus, and the forwards have been working hard in terms of winning the ball and really laying that platform to launch our attack.

“Physicality and the contact area have both been big work-ons from last weekend, and we know that’ll be massive against a Sale Sharks side who thrive on those aspects of the game. If we shut Sale down they’ll go aerial after a couple of phases, and that’s another challenge we have to rise to.

“The lads are working hard, and I’ve been impressed with everyone’s attitude during the build-up.

“George McGuigan and the senior players have set the tone, they’ve spoken really well and got on with their work in the right way, and now it’s a case of bringing it all together against a very good Sale Sharks side.”

Newcastle Red Bulls team v Sale Sharks (Friday, 7.45pm, Corpacq Stadium, live on TNT Sports)

15 Ethan Grayson, 14 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 13 Connor Doherty, 12 Max Clark, 11 Alex Hearle, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 James Elliott; 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 George McGuigan (captain), 3 Richard Palframan, 4 Jamie Hodgson, 5 Freddie Clarke, 6 Fergus Lee-Warner, 7 Tom Gordon, 8 Amanaki Mafi.

Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Micky Rewcastle, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Oscar Usher, 20 Cameron Neild, 21 Simón Benítez Cruz, 22 Brett Connon, 23 Oli Spencer.

Not available for selection: Sammy Arnold, Eduardo Bello, Tim Cardall, Tom Christie, Stefan Coetzee, Joe Davis, Luan de Bruin, Joel Grayson, Sam Stuart, Christian Wade, Liam Williams.