Sale v London Irish: Teams
London Irish welcome back England prop Alex Corbisiero for Saturday's Aviva Premiership clash with Sale.
Last Updated: 15/04/11 3:45pm
London Irish welcome back Alex Corbisiero for Saturday's Aviva Premiership clash with Sale at the Reebok Stadium.
England prop Corbisiero makes his first start for the Exiles since returning from Six Nations duty.
David Paice, who has scored two tries in two games, starts at hooker and Romanian international Paulica Ion replaces Faan Rautenbach. Bob Casey rejoins Nick Kennedy in the second row while Seilala Mapusua captains the side.
"The whole squad is aware of the importance of Saturday's game with Sale Sharks," said London Irish head coach Toby Booth.
"There are only five points separating us for from fourth place, so we go to the Reebok Stadium knowing what we have to do and intend to come away with the right result."
Meanwhile, Carl Fearns has recovered from a knee injury and starts at openside flanker for Sale, while Will Addison makes his first Premiership start.
"This game is another example of the way the club is moving forward," said Sharks head coach Pete Anglesea of the move to Reebok Stadium.
"It's an exciting venture, with our biggest ever crowd for a home game. We're in confident mood, looking forward to successive wins."
Sale Sharks: 15 Nick Macleod, 14 Paul Williams, 13 Chris Bell, 12 Andy Tuilagi, 11Will Addison, 10 Charlie Hodgson (capt), 9Will Cliff, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Carl Fearns, 6 James Gaskell, 5 Wame Lewaravu, 4 Sean Cox, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Eifion Lewis Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Lee Imiolek, 18 Andrew Sheridan, 19 Chris Jones, 20 Neil McMillan, 21 Dwayne Peel, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Kyle Tonetti.
London Irish: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua (captain), 11 Tom Homer, 10 Dan Bowden, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 George Stowers 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 Bob Casey, 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Paulica Ion, 2 David Paice, 1 Alex Corbisiero.
Replacements: 16 James Buckland, 17 Clarke Dermody, 18 Faan Rautenbach, 19 Gary Johnson, 20 Richard Thorpe, 21 Jonathan Joseph, 22 Chris Malone, 23 Darren Allinson.