News

Preview: Wasps v Sale

Friday 21st November 2008

Great White: Jason White returns for Sale's trip to Adams Park

Sale are able to welcome back an international trio for Sunday's Guinness Premiership game against Wasps at Adams Park.

Jason White, Eifion Roberts and Mathew Tait all return to the Sale matchday squad to bolster the side ahead of what is a tough challenge.

"This is a big game for both clubs," said Sale Director of Rugby Philippe Saint Andre.

"We are both missing several players however, we have received a boost this week with Jason White, Eifion Roberts and Mathew Tait returning.

"Everyone at the club is disappointed with our current form and the way we lost to Worcester Warriors last Friday and we are keen to draw a line under it and get our season back on track as soon as possible."

Ian McGeechan has made six changes and one positional switch to the starting XV that will face Sale.

Following his first start of the season against Harlequins last weekend, summer signing Lachlan Mitchell, moves to full-back switching with Mark Van Gisbergen who will start in the centre alongside Josh Lewsey.

On the wing Academy player, Chris Bishay, will make his season debut in place of Mossy Lawler, named alongside a new pairing of Joe Simpson and Dave Walder at nine and ten.

In the forwards, Tom French comes into the front row in place of Tim Payne, called to England alongside eight of his club mates for this weekend's clash with South Africa.

French is joined by club captain Rapha�l Iba�ez who replaces Rob Webber who takes a seat on the bench.

The only other change in the pack sees Dan Leo move to the starting line up in place of John Hart, named among the replacements which this weekend include new signing Damien Varley and Michael Holford.

The Teams:

Wasps: 15 Lachlan Mitchell, 14 Chris Bishay, 13 Josh Lewsey, 12 Mark Van Gisbergen, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Joe Worsley, 7 Serge Betsen, 6 Dan Leo, 5 Richard Birkett, 4 George Skivington, 3 Pat Barnard, 2 Rapha�l Iba�ez (c), 1 Tom French.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Damien Varley, 18 Michael Holford, 19 John Hart, 20 Mark Robinson, 21 Hugo Ellis, 22 Jeremy Staunton.

Sale: 15 Nick Macleod, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Luke McAlister, 12 Chris Bell, 11 David Doherty, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Carl Fearns, 7 Neil Briggs, 6 David Tait, 5 Jason White, 4 Dean Schofield, 3 Stuart Turner, 2 Marc Jones, 1 Eifion Roberts.
Replacements: 16 David Ward, 17 Rob O'Donnell, 18 Brent Cockbain, 19 Luke Abrahams, 20 Chris Leck, 21 Mathew Tait, 22 Andy Tuilagi.

Date: Sunday 23 November, 2008
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Venue: Adams Park
Referee: Dean Richards
Touch judges: Brian Robertson, Roger Baileff
Assessor: Tony Spreadbury
Television match official: John Burtenshaw