Sale Sharks travel down to South Wales this weekend for their opening Pool 2 game in the European Challenge Cup against Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.
Jonathan Mills will lead the Sharks for the first time as captain. Director of Rugby Steve Diamond has taken the opportunity to give several players a rest and also give an opportunity to players who have not had a lot of game time in the opening four games.
15. Tim Jeffers, 14. Tom Brady, 13. Mark Jennings, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Charlie Ingall, 10. Nick Macleod, 9. James Mitchell, 1. James Flynn, 2. Neil Briggs, 3. Brian Mujati, 4. Jonathan Mills (c), 5. Andrei Ostrikov, 6. Magnus Lund, 7. Andrew Hughes, 8. Viliami Fihaki
Replacements: 16. Cameron Neild, 17. Jake Pope, 18. Ross Harrison, 19. George Nott, 20. Josh Beaumont, 21. Joe Ford, 22. John O’Donnell, 23. Nev Edwards
Whilst the teams have met in the Heineken Cup and LV Cup over the past decade it’s the first time the teams have met in this competition. Newport were beaten semi finalists last season, losing to Edinburgh and have won seven of their last nine games in the competition. Rodney Parade has become a stronghold for the Dragons but Sharks have a good record against Welsh clubs in the competition with eight wins from nine games.
Speaking ahead of the game, Steve Diamond said: “The Dragons are a good side, forward orientated and well coached by Lyn Jones and Kingsley Jones. Rodney Parade is a difficult ground to go to, so we’ll travel on Saturday and prepare as best we can. You’ve got to keep that momentum going.”
