Sharks looking to circle Sarries in Allianz clash
ORDINARILY, a trip to Allianz Park might fill Sale fans with a sense of dread.
Despite coming out on top in their Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final at the AJ Bell last week, the Sharks have lost on their last 16 visits to Saracens.
Today, however, they’ll be facing a side wounded by recent sanctions and a 41-14 thumping courtesy of Harlequins at the end of last month.
The third-place Sharks, meanwhile, are coming off Gallagher Premiership victories against Harlequins and league leaders Exeter Chiefs.
A win today would make it three league victories in a row for Steve Diamond’s men – the first time they have done that since January 2019. And it would be their first back-to-back wins over Saracens in 18 years.
Former Saracens head coach Diamond, who recently came out in support of the sanctions ordered against his former club which will see them relegated at the end of this season, sees a great opportunity to clinch the league’s top spot, but insists his side is not taking the fixture lightly.
“To win at Allianz Park is a feat of its own so we’re training hard this week,” he said.
“They will be a different beast at home this weekend and we cannot be complacent after a decent performance in the Cup. It will be a decent test of where we are.
“We’re looking ahead to get as many points as we can in this block of six games during the Six Nations while fitness levels are high and injury levels are low.”
Diamond has made just two changes to the matchday 23 that beat Saracens last Friday as Chris Ashton and Byron McGuigan return to the back three.
Openside flanker Ben Curry will enter the record books as the 21-year-old becomes the youngest player to make 100 appearances for Sale, while South African World Cup stars Faf de Klerk and Lood De Jager remain on injury reserve, their spots being taken by the in-form Will Cliff and Jean-Luc Du Preez.
Saracens, meanwhile, are opting for a mixture of youth and experience with coach Mark McCall making four changes in the pack since their recent Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final defeat.
The back line has also been shaken up as 19-year-old Manu Vunipola pairs up with scrum-half Tom Whiteley, the latter’s first league start this season.