Sale Sharks make the 240 mile trip down to Devon on Boxing Day for the Aviva Premiership Round Seven game against high flying Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park (kick off 3pm). It’s the furthest Sharks have ever travelled for an away game at Christmas, but the team are in buoyant mood after back to wins over Castres in the European Challenge Cup.
Sharks know all too well what a fortress Sandy Park is having only won once there. The Chiefs have only lost once at home in 2015 and that dates back to a single point defeat to Gloucester in January.
Steve Diamond has named his side, and captain Dan Braid returns to the side, along with Sam Tuitupou, Josh Beaumont, Danny Cipriani and TJ Ioane.
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. Jonathan Mills, 5. Bryn Evans, 6. Dan Braid (capt.), 7. TJ Ioane, 8. Josh Beaumont
Replacements: 16. Cameron Neild, 17. Eifion Lewis-Roberts, 18. Brian Mujati, 19. Andrei Ostrikov, 20. Mark Easter, 21. Chris Cusiter, 22. Joe Ford, 23. Mark Jennings.
