Sale Sharks name unchanged line-up for clash against Bristol Bears

Sale Sharks have named an unchanged starting XV for the round 21 Gallagher Premiership clash against Bristol Bears to be played at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

Director of Rugby Steve Diamond has retained the faith from the side that went on to beat Bath Rugby 6-3 with the only change coming in the bench with Curtis Langdon coming in for Ewan Ashman.

Diamond is wary of the form from Bristol this season as they head into the encounter with wins over Saracens and Leicester Tigers in the last two matches.

“Bristol Bears have had a great year, following their promotion from the Championship," said Diamond.

"They’re well-coached, appear to be a great set of lads and we’ll have a big task on our hands in front of a near-capacity crowd at Ashton Gate on Friday.”

Sale Sharks are positioned sixth in the Gallagher Premiership table with 48 points - three less than fourth placed Northampton Saints.

Sale Sharks line-up:

15.Luke James; 14.Denny Solomona, 13.Sam James, 12.James O’Connor, 11.Chris Ashton; 10.AJ MacGinty, 9.Faf de Klerk; 1.Ross Harrison, 2.Rob Webber, 3.WillGriff John, 4.Josh Beaumont, 5.James Phillips, 6.Ben Curry, 7.Tom Curry, 8.Jono Ross (capt).

Replacements: 16.Curtis Langdon, 17.Valery Morozov, 18.Joe Jones, 19.Matt Postlethwaite, 20.Josh Strauss, 21.Will Cliff, 22.Cameron Redpath, 23.Arron Reed