Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks Premiership Preview

Sale Sharks have recalled Danny Cipriani to their starting line up for Saturday’s Aviva Premiership against Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens

Cipriani is recalled to the starting XV, along with Ross Harrison, Tommy Taylor and Vadim Cobilas. Cameron Neild also starts, with Magnus Lund coming onto the bench. Tom Arscott is set to make his 100th Premiership appearance.

The Sharks haven’t won at the Saints in ten years, but Diamond says his side are ready for the test: “We’ve got to pick up a few wins away from home to get in the Top Four, but it’s difficult to do that at Northampton. We’ve got to go there with that ambition, and play.

“Northampton are still Top Four side, but they’ve struggled a bit with international call-ups. We’ve had a good period through it, and we’ve got to try and eek something out of the game if we have any ambition of finishing in the Top Four.”

Northampton Saints’ solitary defeat in the last five rounds of Aviva Premiership Rugby came by a single point in 51 at Newcastle on 21st February.

The Saints have lost just once at Franklin’s Gardens in Premiership Rugby since November: 11-24 to Wasps in round 10.

Sale Sharks’ only defeat in any tournament so far in 2016 came when they visited Worcester in Aviva Premiership Rugby on 20th February.

The Sharks have won only once away from home in the tournament since round 14 last season: 10-3 at Leicester on 6th February.

The last six meetings between the two clubs in Aviva Premiership Rugby have all gone the way of the home team on the day whilst Sale have not been victorious at Franklin’s Gardens since their visit in May 2006.

The Northampton Saints coaches have made four changes to the starting line-up from that which ran out against Saracens last Saturday.

All are up front, with Ethan Waller, Paul Hill, James Craig and Christian Day all coming into the pack.

The Bookies have given Sale Sharks a 9 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to £200 in Bonus bets.

Match : Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks
Date : Saturday 12 March
Venue : Franklin’s Gardens,
Kick Off : 2pm
Live on: N.A
Match Officials
Referee : JP Doyle (108th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Robin Goodliffe & Roger Baileff.
TMO: David Sainsbury.

Teams

Northampton

15 Ben Foden, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Tom Collins, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson (c), 8 Teimana Harrison, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 Christian Day, 4 James Craig, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Mikey Haywood, 1 Ethan Waller.

Replacements: 16 Reece Marshall, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 Victor Matfield, 20 Jon Fisher, 21 Kahn Fotuali’i, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Harry Mallinder.

Sale Sharks

15. Mike Haley, 14. Tom Arscott, 13. Sam James, 12. Sam Tuitupou, 11. Will Addison, 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Peter Stringer, 1. Ross Harrison, 2. Tommy Taylor, 3. Vadim Cobilas, 4. Bryn Evans, 5. Andrei Ostrikov, 6. Cameron Neild, 7. David Seymour, 8. TJ Ioane

Replacements: 16. Neil Briggs, 17. Eifion Lewis Roberts, 18. Brian Mujati, 19. Jonathan Mills, 20. Magnus Lund, 21. Chris Cusiter, 22. Joe Ford, 23. Mark Jennings