Sale Sharks put their trust in youth in eyebrow-raising team selection

Reuben Logan, son of Scotland legend Kenny, is in line to make his Investec Champions Cup debut after being named on the bench for Sale Sharks’ daunting trip to Toulouse this Saturday.

Up until now, Logan, a close season signing from Northampton, has been restricted to just two appearances in the PREM Rugby Cup, while also playing Champ Rugby, on loan at Caldy.

To go from the grassy banks of Paton Field to the splendour of the Stade Ernest Wallon will be quite something for the bruising 20-year-old, who is not alone in making his bow at this level.

While the Sharks have already qualified for the Round of 16, they still need to get something from the match to book a home tie in the knockouts, so the decision to go with a largely development team will have raised some eyebrows from supporters who know their PREM title dreams are all but over.

Fellow Champions Cup rookie Patrick Hogg joins Logan on the bench, while Academy graduates, full-back Ollie Davies and flanker Jos Gilmore, will make their first starts in the competition.

In a side missing George Ford and other star turns, Tom Curtis gets to pull the strings at fly-half, with Gus Warr inside him.

Marius Louw will captain the side for the first time against the Top 14 side.

SALE SHARKS vs Toulouse:

15. Ollie Davies, 14. Obi Ene, 13. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 12. Marius Louw ©, 11. Alex Wills, 10. Tom Curtis, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Nathan Jibulu, 3. James Harper, 4. Tom Burrow, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Jos Gilmore, 7. Tristan Woodman, 8. Sam Dugdale.

Replacements: 16. Ethan Caine, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. Patreece Bell, 19. Patrick Hogg, 20. Reuben Logan, 21. Dom Hanson, 22. Joe Bedlow, 23. Regan Grace.