Sale’s pack is missing four names who lit up the Rugby World Cup: England front row heavyweight Andrew Sheridan, the Argentine Fernandez-Lobbe brothers and France’s man-mountain number eight Sebastien Chabal.
“I have given the players who played in the World Cup last weekend a few days off but all of them will be back in full training from Monday and all will be in contention for a place in the 22 for next Friday’s EDF game against Bath at Edgeley Park,” said Sharks Director of Rugby Philippe St Andre.
But David Young’s front row will have to contend with French international hooker Sebastien Bruno who will make his first start for the Sharks since his return from the World Cup.
“We welcome Sebastien Bruno back from the World Cup this week and he goes straight back into the team. He did not play much rugby during the World Cup and is keen to get back playing regularly.”
Saint Andre continued, “The team played well last week scoring a try bonus against Saracens and against a good Cardiff side the players have a big opportunity to stake their place in the team.
“I said before the World Cup that the internationals were not guaranteed a starting spot when they returned so the competition for places will be intense in the weeks to come, which is great news for the club and the supporters. Our squad will be completed when Luke McAlister arrives in the next couple of weeks.”
Sale Sharks: Julien Laharrague, Rory Lamont, Rudi Keil, Lee Thomas, Oriol Ripol, Charlie Hodgson, Sililo Martens, Lionel Faure, Sebastien Bruno, Benoit Bourrust, Dean Schofield, Sean Cox, Chris Jones, Magnus Lund, Nathan Bonner-Evans
Replacements: Neil Briggs, Ben Evans / Stuart Turner, Chris Day, Michael Hills, Richard Wigglesworth, Chris Mayor, Elvis Seveali’i / Steve Hanley
