Sanderson rings changes in bid to find his best side
ALEX Sanderson has brought in 11 fresh faces as Sale bid to end a two-match losing streak when they face European champions Exeter tonight.
The Gallagher Premiership clash sees the return of Faf de Klerk at scrum-half and AJ MacGinty at half-back for the first time since the Sharks’ big win against Bristol.
Bevan Rodd and Curtis Langdon come in alongside WillGriff John in the front row, an opportunity for the youngsters to impress alongside an experienced pack, benefitting from the return of Lood de Jager and Josh Beaumont in the second row.
There are also two changes in the back three, with Byron McGuigan coming in on the wing alongside Marland Yarde and Luke James taking over the full-back role, with Sam Hill and Sam James partnering in the centres.
Sanderson has been focusing on finding his best 15 over the last few weeks.
“As you know I have been rotating players to get a grasp of this squad and potentially what our best 15 is moving forward, pretty much all our players are at our disposal this weekend,” said Sale’s director of rugby.
Sanderson knows they face a tough challenge against a threatening Exeter side, but is confident his players can stay in the game for longer this week having lost to the Harlequins last time out.
“We have looked at how through our actions we are able to stay physical for 80 minutes,” he said.
“There is an admittance that there is more in us and that came from the players.”
However, he knows it will not be easy to stop the versatility Exeter possesses.
“We have devoted the necessary time, in proportion to what we have, to Exeter’s threats,” he revealed.
“They are asking those questions round the front, round the back, they are not just your typical pick and go side.
“Even though they went that way last week, it is more about keeping the ball quick for them in recent times, so if you focus too much on one thing, it is like spinning plates, the other plate will drop.
“We have got the European Champions, if you can’t get up for that what can you get up for.”