Sale v Saracens: Teams
Gavin Henson will make his first start for Saracens in Sunday's Aviva Premiership clash with Sale at Edgeley Park.
Last Updated: 31/12/10 1:55pm
Gavin Henson will make his first start for Saracens in Sunday's Aviva Premiership clash with Sale at Edgeley Park.
The Wales international will line-up at outside centre after ending 21 months out of rugby by coming off the bench against Wasps on Boxing Day.
Winger David Strettle is rested under the EPS agreement, meaning Michael Tagicakibau switches out wide and Henson comes into the centres.
"Gavin's had another good week with us in training and we were very pleased with his contribution at Wembley," director of rugby Brendan Venter said.
"Having spoken to Gavin, he recognises the need we have at outside centre and wants to help the team."
Injury
Full-back Alex Goode takes the place of Chris Wyles, who suffered a fractured cheekbone against Wasps at Wembley and will be sidelined for a month.
Mouritz Botha, Richard Wigglesworth, Jacques Burger and Andy Saull all come back into the starting line-up as Saracens ring the changes, while prop James Ellershaw could make his debut for the club off the bench.
Meanwhile, Sale welcome back fly-half Charlie Hodgson (foot), flanker James Gaskell (ankle) and prop Andrew Sheridan (back) from injury.
New Sharks head coach Pete Anglesea made a losing start to his time in charge against Leicester last time out but is expecting a big effort from his players on Sunday.
"We have had a good few days with the squad, and have named a strong 23 for the game," he said.
"The players know what is expected of them and this is their big chance to start off 2011 well. It's the first home game for six weeks so I am sure the supporters will be up for the game too."
Sale: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Rhys Crane, 13 Chris Bell, 12 Kyle Tonetti, 11 Mark Cueto (capt), 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole 7 Carl Fearns, 6 James Gaskell, 5 Kristian Ormsby, 4 Chris Jones, 3 Karena Wihongi, 2 Marc Jones, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Ben Roberts, 17 Lee Imiolek, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Sean Cox, 20 Neil McMillan, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Nick Macleod, 23 Mathew Tait
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Michael Tagicakibau, 13 Gavin Henson, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 James Short, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Jacques Burger, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Petrus du Plessis, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 James Ellershaw, 19 George Kruis, 20 Kelly Brown, 21 Kevin Barrett, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 Noah Cato.