London Irish v Sale: Teams
London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith is confident his side can upset a Sale side bolstered by the return of Luke McAlister.
Last Updated: 04/01/08 12:50pm
London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith is confident his side can upset title-chaser Sale.
The Exiles pushed Guinness Premiership champions Leicester all the way last time out before going down to a 25-17 defeat at Welford Road.
And Smith believes that despite facing a Sale side packed full of internationals, his side can return to winning ways.
He said: "Sale are a 'top four' team with a large number of world class players in their squad.
"With the likes of Sebastien Chabal, Mark Cueto, Sebastien Bruno, Luke McAlister and Andrew Sheridan fit and ready for action it is no surprise that Philippe Saint Andre's team has its eyes on the Premiership title.
"Sunday's game is our first home fixture of the New Year and we're looking to give our supporters a big performance. Our team has prepared well this week and knows that on our day we can beat anyone in the competition.
Confident
"Our boys worked their socks off against Leicester last weekend and we were unlucky to come away without any points. We're confident we can do better on Sunday."
Bob Casey returns to lead Irish for the visit of the Sharks, with Eoghan Hickey, Tonga Lea'aetoa and Richard Thorpe also coming back into the line-up.
The inclusion of Hickey at fly-half means that Shane Geraghty moves across to replace Seilala Mapusua at inside centre - with the Samoan facing upto eight weeks out with a broken hand.
New Zealander Luke McAlister will return to the Sale line-up for the trip to London Irish.
The talented centre was forced to miss the comprehensive victory over Leeds with a leg injury - however McAlister has been declared fit to face the Exiles.
Lee Thomas scored two tries against Leeds after replacing McAlister in the squad and he is rewarded by keeping his place at 12.
Fitness
Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint Andre has yet to confirm his bench - with the Frenchman waiting on the fitness of one or two players.
He said: "I will make my mind up over the bench at the team run on Saturday morning.
"It has been a very quick turn around this week having played on Sunday.
"This game will be the last Guinness Premiership game some of my players play in before the Six Nations and we are very keen to keep our recent winning form going.
"It will be tough though, London Irish are always difficult opponents, especially on their own ground."
London Irish: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Shane Geraghty, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Eoghan Hickey, 9 Paul Hodgson, 1 Clarke Dermody, 2 David Paice, 3 Tongo Lea'aetoa, 4 Nick Kennedy, 5 Bob Casey (c), 6 Declan Danaher, 7 Steffon Armitage, 8 Richard Thorpe.
Replacements: 16 Dan Murphy, 17 Danie Coetzee, 18 James Hudson, 19 Phil Murphy, 20 Juan Leguizamon, 21 Peter Richards, 22 Jeremy Staunton.
Sale: 15 Julien Laharrague, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Luke McAlister, 12 Lee Thomas, 11 Oriol Ripol, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 1 Andrew Sheridan, 2 Sebastien Bruno, 3 Eifion Roberts, 4 Chris Jones, 5 Brent Cockbain, 6 Jason White, 7 Magnus Lund, 8 Sebastien Chabal.
Replacements: Neil Briggs, Lionel Faure, Stuart Turner, Sean Cox, Dean Schofield, JM Fernandez Lobbe, Sililo Martens, Chris Mayor, Rudi Keil.