Sale v Newcastle: Teams
Sale welcome scrum-half Dwayne Peel back to their starting team for the Boxing Day clash with Newcastle Falcons.
Last Updated: 26/12/11 6:22pm
Sale welcome scrum-half Dwayne Peel back to their starting XV for the Aviva Premiership clash with Newcastle at Edgeley Park on Boxing Day.
Mark Easter recovers from an injury sustained in November to take his place on the bench, while Andy Titterrell returns to Sharks colours for the first time since April 2007.
"Boxing Day games always have an extra edge to them," said Sale executive director of sport Steve Diamond.
"Falcons have beaten Wasps, Gloucester and Toulon: if they can pick up victories on the road, expect them to climb. To this end, we need to be ready for them. We aim to finish 2011 as we started this season."
Meanwhile, Newcastle head coach Alan Tait has made six changes for the Boxing Day fixture.
Important
Hooker Rob Vickers starts for the first time in three months after recovering from a serious knee injury sustained in the thrilling Aviva Premiership encounter with Leicester in September.
The Falcons are also buoyed by the return of giant Samoan international Taiasina Tu'ifua who was rested for the trip to Toulon, while Ally Hogg gets the nod at number eight.
Aviva Premiership Golden Boot winner for the last two seasons Jimmy Gopperth replaces Jeremy Manning at fly-half with Tongan international Suka Hufanga starting on the wing.
Tait's unit will be aiming to pick up that all important away victory on the back of six games unbeaten at home.
"We know it is going to tough down at Sale and we have to go down there - be sharp and positive and really take them on," said Tait.
"I have watched a lot of Sale and it is important to do your homework. They are a good side and their pack has a lot of gas and get around the pitch well.
"Their backs are also playing well and scoring some good tries - they are a very mobile side."
Sale: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Sam Tuitupou (capt), 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Nick Macleod, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Andy Powell, 7 David Seymour, 6 James Gaskell, 5 Andrei Ostrikov, 4 Fraser McKenzie, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Marc Jones, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Andy Titterrell, 17 Vadim Cobilas, 18 Tony Buckley, 19 Kearnan Myall, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Cillian Willis, 22 Andrew Higgins, 23 Will Addison.
Newcastle: 15 Greg Goosen, 14 Luke Eves, 13 Corne Uys, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Suka Hufanga, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Jordi Pasqualin, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch, 6 Taiasina Tu'ifua, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 James Hudson (capt), 3 Euan Murray, 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Grant Shiells.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Ashley Wells, 18 Dan Frazier, 19 Adriaan Fondse, 20 Richard Mayhew, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Tom Catterick, 23 Jeremy Manning.
