McGuigan back to face in-form Saints
SALE Sharks winger Byron McGuigan returns from injury today, with his task slowing down try-happy Northampton Saints.
Steve Diamond’s men are looking extend their Premiership Rugby win streak to six games as they host Saints, who have scored 257 points in their last four matches.
The visitors head into the game buoyed by making the final of the inaugural Premiership Rugby Cup, running in nine tries as they beating Newcastle Falcons 59-33 in the semi-finals last weekend.
McGuigan, 29, returns to the Sharks squad having not featured since their game with Saracens on January 4.
He said: “They (Northampton) are a good side, especially at home. They’re scoring lots of points, so we know we need to be on it in terms of our defence.
“Attacking-wise, we’ve just got to do what we’ve been doing. Creating opportunities, get down in the finish zone and take opportunities.”
Scotland international McGuigan, who has six caps, has backed his country to improve in the Six Nations.
So far, they beat Italy at home 33-20 while losing out at Murrayfield 22-13 on the second weekend of action.
He said: “It’s a mixed bag of emotions for Scotland.
“They started off really well against Italy but probably took the foot off the gas in the last 15 minutes. I’m sure they are disappointed with that.
“Ireland are obviously such a good side and played really well at the weekend. I think they’ll be a bit of disappointment for Scotland.
“There’s three games left and I think they will come back stronger.”
McGuigan is not the only man returning to the Sale XV at Franklin’s Gardens, with fly-half AJ MacGinty back for his first appearance since October following shoulder surgery.
The Sharks sit fifth in the table and their opponents are ninth, with just three points separating the two teams as they jockey for position in the table.
Director of rugby Diamond added: “Franklin’s Gardens is always a massive challenge to us.
“Saints have been playing really well, scoring lots of tries, and we’ll have to be at our best to get anything out of the game.”
Meanwhile, the Sharks Under-18s squad will take part in Premiership Rugby’s Under-18s Academy Finals Day, facing Wasps in the fifth/sixth play-off at Allianz Park tomorrow.