231kg of South African beef added to Sharks' pack

Springbok Dan du Preez and fellow South African, Jacques Vermeulen, have been named in Sale Sharks’ matchday squad for what promises to be a hugely physical encounter against Leicester at Welford Road on Saturday evening.

The powerhouse forwards both return from injury as the Sharks attempt to bounce back from last week’s 65-14 mauling at the hands of Saracens.

It will be Du Preez’s first outing of the season if he is called upon from the bench, while summer signing Vermeulen, who has been missing since the round one game against Gloucester because of a hamstring injury, starts at blindside. Tristan Woodman and Sam Dugdale are named at openside and No.8, respectively.

England’s Asher Opoku-Fordjour gets to show his versatility as he switches from tight-head to loose-head, to accomodate the arrival of James Harper in the front row. The switch of positions was made necessary by the injuries sustained by Bevan Rodd and Si McIntyre at Saracens. Luke Cowan-Dickie is at hooker.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Leicester

36 - 35

Full-time

Sale

All Stats and Data

Hit by injuries, Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson has had to perform a juggling act in selection, with skipper Ernst van Rhyn moving up into the second row to cover the loss of Hyron Andrews. He will pack down alongside the totemic Ben Bamber.

The Sharks also welcome back a muscular presence in midfield, with the return to fitness of centre Rekeiti Ma’asi White, who is partnered by Rob du Preez. Gus Warr and George Ford are the half-backs.

Tom O’Flaherty also has a different number on his jersey, having been selected in his more familiar position of wing, after an appearance at full-back at the StoneX.

With Joe Carpenter ruled out, club stalwart Luke James makes his first start of the season at 15. England international Tom Roebuck completes the back three.

Aussie centre Izaia Perese is the only change to the Tigers team that started last Saturday’s 22-20 win against Bath.

Sale Sharks: 15. Luke James, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 11. Tom O’Flaherty, 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. James Harper, 4. Ernst van Rhyn ©, 5. Ben Bamber, 6. Jacques Vermeulen, 7. Tristan Woodman, 8. Sam Dugdale.

Replacements: 16. Nathan Jibulu, 17. Tumy Onasanya, 18. Patreece Bell, 19. Tom Burrow, 20. Dan du Preez, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Arron Reed.