Aviva Premiership preview; Saracens v Sale

Friday 4 November 2011

Saracens face Sale Sharks at Vicarage Road (Sunday 3pm) as the Aviva Premiership reaches round eight.

Saracens' Director of Rugby Mark McCall makes two changes from the side that won at Gloucester last weekend. In the front row, Deon Carstens starts at loose head prop with Rhys Gill reverting to the replacements bench.

The only other change sees Chris Wyles make his first start since returning from World Cup duty to take a place on the wing with James Short named on the bench. Adam Powell also comes into the match day 23 and is named among the replacements.

Sale Sharks make a number of changes to the team that capitulated in the second half against Leicester a week ago. Andy Powell starts at number 8, with Will Addison replacing try scorer Tom Brady on the wing and Will Cliff getting the start at scrum half. The front row gets an overhaul with Alasdair Dickinson and Tommy Taylor getting the start and Fraser McKenzie returns to the second row. Scrum half Cillian Willis, who has joined the club from Leinster for the rest of the season, comes onto the bench along Samoan international Tasesa Lavea

Sharks' Executive Director of Sport Steve Diamond said, "It's a long time ago since I left Saracens. They have created a super franchise. They are now going away from home and winning at Gloucester, so we know that we are up against a top side on Sunday.

"In the end it's all about our performance this weekend. If we get it right in our set piece and defence then we stand a chance of getting something out of the game. They are one of the top super clubs in England right now and if you get anything from them away from home, then you are doing well."

Saracens: 15.Alex Goode, 14.David Strettle, 13.Owen Farrell, 12.Brad Barritt, 11.Chris Wyles, 10.Charlie Hodgson, 9.Neil de Kock, 1.Deon Carstens, 2.Schalk Brits, 3.Carlos Nieto, 4.Steve Borthwick (capt), 5.Mouritz Botha, 6.Kelly Brown, 7.Jacques Burger, 8.Ernst Joubert

Replacements: 16.Jamie George, 17.Rhys Gill, 18.Matt Stevens, 19.Hayden Smith, 20.Andy Saull, 21.Ben Spencer, 22.Adam Powell, 23.James Short

Sale Sharks: 15.Rob Miller, 14.Will Addison, 13.Johnny Leota, 12.Sam Tuitupou (capt), 11.Mark Cueto, 10.Nick Macleod, 9.Will Cliff, 1.Alasdair Dickinson, 2.Tommy Taylor, 3.Henry Thomas, 4.Fraser McKenzie, 5.James Gaskell, 6.Richie Vernon, 7.David Seymour, 8.Andy Powell

Replacements: 16.Marc Jones, 17.Vadim Cobilas, 18.Tony Buckley, 19.Kearnan Myall, 20.Mark Easter, 21.Cillian Willis, 22.Tasesa Lavea, 23.Tom Brady