Leicester v Sale - Teams
Former England captain Martin Corry returns for reigning EDF Energy Cup holders Leicester Tigers.
By Phil Jackson
Last Updated: 29/11/07 2:57pm
Former England captain Martin Corry returns for reigning EDF Energy Cup holders and Pool B leaders Leicester Tigers on Friday night.
Victory would ensure the Tigers qualify for the semi-finals for the second successive season and coach Marcelo Loffreda has named 11 senior internationals accordingly.
Lewis Moody and Jordan Crane complete the back row alongside number eight Corry, Ben Kay and Louis Deacon are reunited in the second row, while hooker Benjamin Kayser is joined by Marcos Ayerza and Julian White up front.
Dan Hipkiss and Ollie Smith make up the centres, Frank Murphy and Andy Goode continue at half-back and Geordan Murphy, Johne Murphy and Tom Varndell complete the backline.
Challenge
George Chuter can only make the bench after making his return in the win over Leeds Carnegie last time out though, and Leicester have won all four of their previous matches at Welford Road in this competition.
Loffreda said: "We are expecting a hard game. I know many of the Sale players and I know they will come here to win.
"We have to work hard, maintain our momentum and we have to improve with each game. This game is a very good challenge for the team."
England prop Andrew Sheridan has not been named in Sale Sharks' squad for Friday's crucial EDF Energy Cup tie at Welford Road.
The World Cup star has been in dispute with the club after being invited to play for the Barbarians against world champions South Africa on Saturday.
In the end neither side has named him in their squad, with Lionel Faure named in Sale's front row instead.
England flanker Magnus Lund is back from a four-game injury layoff, while his international team-mate Mark Cueto is named at full-back though.
Crucial
New Zealand international Luke McAlister will make his second start at outside centre alongside Rudi Keil meanwhile, after the All Black made such a big impression in his debut in the win at Worcester.
The Sharks have not won at Welford Road since November 2003, but must win if they are to stand any chance of reaching the Anglo-Welsh cup's semi-finals.
Philippe Saint-Andre's side would still be relying on Cardiff Blues not to win against Bath though, and Sale would need to win and match Bath for bonus points if they are to progress.
Saint-Andre said: "This is a big game at Leicester - like a quarter-final.
"We face a huge challenge in matching the Tigers' physicality, but we've won four games on the trot and are confident."
Leicester Tigers: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Johne Murphy, 13 Ollie Smith, 12 Dan Hipkiss, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Martin Corry (c), 5 Ben Kay, 4 Louis Deacon, 3 Julian White, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacement: 16 George Chuter, 17 Alex Moreno, 18 James Hamilton, 19 Tom Croft, 20 Ben Youngs, 21 Sam Vesty, 22 Ayoola Erinle.
Sale Sharks: 15 Mark Cueto, 14 Julien Laharrague, 13 Luke McAlister, 12 Rudi Keil, 11 Rory Lamont, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Sililo Martens, 8 Nathan Bonner Evans,7 Magnus Lund, 6 Jason White (captain), 5 Christian Day, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Eifion Roberts, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Lionel Faure.
Replacements: 16 Sébastien Bruno, 17 Stuart Turner, 18 Dean Schofield, 19 Sean Cox, 20 James Jones, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Chris Mayor.