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De Klerk and Curry among 11 internationals in Sale Sharks starting XV
Sale Sharks are bolstered by the return of two World Cup finalists as they look to ignite their Champions Cup challenge against La Rochelle on Sunday.
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The Sharks were defeated 13-7 in their round one trip to Glasgow and must topple their Pool 2 rivals from France at the AJ Bell Stadium if they to stay in contention for a quarter-final place.
World Cup winner Faf de Klerk is restored at scrum-half following his heroics in Japan and also present as one of nine changes is England’s Tom Curry at openside.
Also back are Red Rose wings Chris Ashton and Denny Solomona, but Sale have confirmed that Josh Beaumont will be out for up to five months because of a serious knee injury that required surgery.
“It’s fantastic to be back in the Champions Cup at the AJ Bell and after the disappointment of losing the arm wrestle at Glasgow, the lads will be looking to bounce back,” director of rugby Steve Diamond said.
“La Rochelle are a hugely physical team and we had a great match with them last year in the Challenge Cup quarter-final, so we know what they are about.
“We just have to make sure we get our basics right and perform this weekend.”
John Cooney's claim to the Irish No.9 spot grows with every passing weekend.https://t.co/8K7q12neih
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 23, 2019
Gloucester face an uphill task to progress after losing their Pool Five opener against Toulouse and must travel to Montpellier to revive their aspirations of reaching the knockout phase.
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Head coach Johan Ackermann has made 11 changes with only full-back Jason Woodward, centre Chris Harris, number eight Freddie Clarke and lock Gerbrandt Grobler surviving.
Scared Potter?https://t.co/vqoq5q7uIb
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 23, 2019
“There’s no easy game in this group and even more so now that Montpellier also lost their first game,” Ackermann said.
“They will probably want to fix that this weekend at home and we are their next opposition.
“So we know that we’ll be up against a highly-motivated side. They will be under a bit of pressure.”
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Sale Sharks Starting XV
15. Simon Hammersley, 14. Denny Solomona, 13. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12. Rob du Preez, 11. Chris Ashton, 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Faf de Klerk; 1. Ross Harrsion, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 4. Bryn Evans, 5. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Ben Curry, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Jono Ross (Capt)
Replacements
16. Rob Webber, 17. Valery Morozov, 18. Will-Griff John, 19. James Phillips, 20. Matt Postlethwaite, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Luke James, 23. Marland Yarde
Comments on RugbyPass
I wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
4 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
23 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
23 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to comments