Sale Sharks are hoping to make a statement in tonight’s (Friday) pre-season friendly against Connacht Rugby at Heywood Road.
The club revealed Alex Sanderson has picked a mix of youth and experience – plus a debutant for the match later today. Summer recruit Jacques Vermeulen will start against the URC side in a back row packed with power, while England under-20s star Ollie Davies will wear the number ten shirt.
A few England and Lions stars will be absent from the side due to a late return to training because of other fixtures. This will see Rob du Preez captain the side from outside centre.
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Scrum-half Raffi Quirke is expected to start alongside Davies at half-back, with Rekeiti Ma’asi-White joining du Preez in the centres. Si McIntyre, Tadgh McElroy and James Harper will start in the front row together against Stuart Lancaster’s side – with the towering presence of Hyron Andrews and Ben Bamber behind them in the second-row.
Former Exeter Chiefs forward Vermeulen starts at blindside flanker with Tristan Woodman at openside and Sam Dugdale at number eight.
Tom Curtis lines up at full-back and he’ll have the pace of Obi Ene and Tom O’Flaherty outside him on the wings.
The Sharks bench is packed with young talent, including summer signing Patrick Hogg and back-rower Jos Gilmore, as well as established Gallagher Prem stars including Sam Bedlow.
Starting XV as advertised on the club’s website:
15. Tom Curtis, 14. Tom O’Flaherty, 13. Rob du Preez ©, 12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 11. Obi Ene, 10. Ollie Davies, 9. Rafi Quirke; 1. Simon McIntyre, 2. Tadgh McElroy, 3. James Harper, 4. Ben Bamber, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Jacques Vermeulen, 7. Tristan Woodman, 8. Sam Dugdale.
Replacements:
16. Ethan Caine, 17. Tom Davis, 18. Tumy Onasanya, 19. Patreece Bell, 20. Patrick Hogg, 21. Jos Gilmore, 22. Frank Chatterton, 23. Dom Hanson, 24. Nye Thomas, 25. Sam Bedlow, 26. Joe Bedlow, 27. Toby Wilson, 28. Albert Bradshaw.
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