Sharks look to bounce back

Sale Sharks head to Vicarage Road this weekend off the back of a second half humiliation handed out by the dominant Leicester Tigers.  Sharks executive director of sport Steve Diamond admitted it was a "reality check," after his side conceded 31 unanswered points after leading 13-3 at half time.

Tom Brady scored his sides solitary try as the game ebbed towards half time, but in reality the Edgeley Park outfit could and possibly should have headed into the break with a bigger margin.  Mark Cueto broke down the left wing but was unable to break through, while on more than one occasion shoddy handling skills or ill discipline cost them.  A late tackle prevented Rob Miller from going over, while Brady was denied by the television match official after beating a dawdling Geordan Murphy.

The opening try however was a very well worked move, initiated by the quick thinking Dwayne Peel.  The Welsh Scrum Half took a quick penalty and released Miller, who in turn fed Brady for a deserved score.
Following this though it was all downhill.  A different Leicester emerged in the Second half, with a pack that dominated for a full 40 minutes.  Including two tries as a direct result of driving mauls.  Toby Flood added 16 of his 19 points in this period of the game, as a startled Sale side saw first hand the standard that has to be met to compete at the highest level in The Aviva Premiership.

Saracens are the focus this weekend, who sit one place and seven points over the Stockport based side.  A whole host of sides are now breathing down the neck of Sale hoping to knock them down the league, a scenario that is more than likely going to materialise sooner rather than later.  Atleast the Sale fan's can look forward to a season minus relegation scrap, something that has been all to familiar in recent season.

Speaking to the club's official website, 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."

Below is the Sale Sharks side in full for Sunday's clash


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

New faces for Baa-Baas test

So the sight we never thought we would see again has materialised, Charlie Hodgson is back for the Red Rose at fly-half.

In the absence of Toby Flood, the man who carries most of the hope at Edgeley Park returns to start for the first time since that doomed tour in 2008.

In a poor Sale side this season however he has been a standout performer, and there has been calls from the Northwest for well over a year for their man to be given another chance.

Now that chance has finally come, and he must prove himself along with half-back partner Danny Care.

He isn't the only one that is been given chance in this non cap outing though, with players from Leicester Tigers and the injured Jonny Wilkinson all missing out.

The Tigers of course will be gracing the Twickenham turf on Saturday in the Premiership final, so we will see many other new faces in the side.

Shontayne Hape, Jon Golding and Dave Attwood will make their first appearances for their country at centre, prop and lock.

One of these in particular though is very exciting, and that is Bath Rugby man Hape.

He was around the squad for the duration of this years Six Nations, and was perhaps unlucky not to be given a chance then.

Another exciting addition is Ben Foden continuing at full-back, where he performed so well when given chance in the Six Nations.

His running game is second to none, and he can no doubt be a very dangerous outlet for England.

More flair in the backs in provided by Saracens bound David Strettle, who is back for his country following a series of injury problems.

It is fantastic to see the Harlequins man competing at the top level again, and if he can reach his past level we could be set for an excting time.

One overwhelming theme throughout the startin 15 though is the mix of youth and experience throughout.

Only the backrow contains three fullly experienced individuals, in the shape of James Haskell, Steffon Armitage and Nick Easter.

Even without the Tigers plays this team on the outset seems relatively strong, so ahead of the summer tour Martin Johnson could certainly have a few headaches to deal with.

The team to play Barbarians in full:

Ben Foden, Mark Cueto, Mike Tindall, Shontayne Hape, David Strettle, Charlie Hodgson, Danny Care, Jon Golding, Steve Thompson, Paul Doran-Jones, Dave Attwood, Tom Palmer, James Haskell, Steffon Armitage, Nick Easter

Replacements:

Lee Mears, Tim Payne, Dan Ward-Smith, Joe Worsley, Joe Simpson, Olly Barkley, Matthew Tait.