RugbyRebels

Sale Sharks Starting XV:

15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Arron Reed, 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Simon McIntyre, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Nick Schonert, 4. Jean-Luc du Preez, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Tom Curry, 7. Ben Curry (C), 8. Jono Ross.

Replacements:

16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Bevan Rodd, 18. Coenie Oosthuizen, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Daniel du Preez, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Sam James, 23. Tom O’Flaherty



15 Freddie Steward [71]
14 Anthony Watson [15]
13 Matt Scott [65]
12 Dan Kelly [55]
11 Harry Potter [66]
10 Handré Pollard [14]
9 Ben Youngs [301]
1 Tom West [10]
2 Julián Montoya (c) [43]
3 Dan Cole [309]
4 George Martin [57]
5 Cameron Henderson [36]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [84]
7 Tommy Reffell [99]
8 Jasper Wiese [60]

REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [78]
17 James Cronin [15]
18 Joe Heyes [123]
19 Harry Wells [176]
20 Olly Cracknell [24]
21 Jack van Poortvliet [65]
22 Jimmy Gopperth [17]
23 Guy Porter [58]

A good side from Leicester - that's not a kick in the backside off our strongest possible XV (OChessum and a fully-fit Dolly are the only ones I can think of). Would much prefer Atkinson on the bench to Gopperth, but it looks like that's something we'll have to wait for the new regime for.

Puja

Should be a close game with plenty of interesting 1v1's on offer. Home advantage likely to be decisive i reckon.

Should be a cracking game, I suspect the other semi will end up being a bit more one-sided in comparison.

Shame ITV don't get the semis. But who says the audience needs to grow eh.

I'd have liked to see JVP start and then use Youngs game management off the bench. Dolly recovering in time is a huge loss as Clare isn't really the player you want in these big games. Going to be a big ask against a team that beat Tigers comfortably twice this season.

As a Sale fan you often wonder which Sale team will turn up. If they keep their discipline then have to favour the home team, especially given GF is now hitting some form.

Tigers will presumably use Wiese and Leibenberg to get over the gain line to get quick ball. If the Currys can slow it down and turn a few over then that could edge the contest.

As mentioned some big match ups and one will be how Carpenter and Steward deal with their opponents kicking game and the 'spiral' bomb.

Big home finale for Jono Ross who has been great for Sale since his arrival.

FKAS wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 1:53 pm I'd have liked to see JVP start and then use Youngs game management off the bench. Dolly recovering in time is a huge loss as Clare isn't really the player you want in these big games. Going to be a big ask against a team that beat Tigers comfortably twice this season.

JVP up against Raffi when they enter could be good. Raffi regaining some form after his injury and looking sharp

One of the big changes Borthwick made was to increase the number of carriers in the pack. Montoya, Martin, Henderson and Liebenburg will all carry regularly though Weise is obviously the main machine in that department. The physicality of Sale defence and the ability of the Curry's to disrupt has definitely been key to your victories over us this season. Tigers will have to be cuter, won't be able to just bludgeon their way forward.

Quins managed to upset the Sale defence by kicking in behind with varying degree of depth. Forced the back three quite deep and subdued the line speed. Pollard tends to prefer to kick for grass and less contestable for Tigers recently, whether he changes tact for this one we'll see. He's definitely got more range than Ford. Pollard has also said he's been enjoying his rugby again now he's got more free reign to play a more mixed style so shouldn't be a pure kick fest from him.

Spartan Shark wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 3:10 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 1:53 pm I'd have liked to see JVP start and then use Youngs game management off the bench. Dolly recovering in time is a huge loss as Clare isn't really the player you want in these big games. Going to be a big ask against a team that beat Tigers comfortably twice this season.

JVP up against Raffi when they enter could be good. Raffi regaining some form after his injury and looking sharp

True. Warr has been the form scrum half in the Prem this season, hasn't had the plaudits he deserves so I'm not surprised Sale have stuck with him. I suspect Youngs is in there to work with Pollard to try and manage the game, Ford loves to take control and if he can't do that then Sale will be under a lot of pressure and discipline is the main Achilles Heel.

I just would prefer for JVP to start and challenge the Sale defence a bit more, his tactical game is still stronger than most.

Atkinson seems to have faded a bit at Tigers

Peej wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 8:14 pm Atkinson seems to have faded a bit at Tigers

Hasn't had many chances to make a mark to be fair.

Danno wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 8:18 pm

Peej wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 8:14 pm Atkinson seems to have faded a bit at Tigers

Hasn't had many chances to make a mark to be fair.

Got game time under Borthwick, Wigglesworth doesn't seem to rate him as highly. We'll see how he gets on under McKellar next season. The club are backing him as they didn't activate the second year of Gopperth's contract and so far only Shillcock who's primarily a fullback has been signed as flyhalf cover.

Danno wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 1:50 pm Should be a cracking game, I suspect the other semi will end up being a bit more one-sided in comparison.

Shame ITV don't get the semis. But who says the audience needs to grow eh.

This game is on ITV

NorthWestRugby wrote: ↑Sat May 13, 2023 1:51 pm

Danno wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 1:50 pm Should be a cracking game, I suspect the other semi will end up being a bit more one-sided in comparison.

Shame ITV don't get the semis. But who says the audience needs to grow eh.

This game is on ITV

I can't see it on any of their listings.

NorthWestRugby wrote: ↑Sat May 13, 2023 1:51 pm

Danno wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 1:50 pm Should be a cracking game, I suspect the other semi will end up being a bit more one-sided in comparison.

Shame ITV don't get the semis. But who says the audience needs to grow eh.

This game is on ITV

Sunday at 3.00:
ITV1: You've Been Framed
ITV2: Stuart Little 2
ITV3: Downton Abbey
ITV4: The Magnificent Seven Ride

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat May 13, 2023 2:31 pm

NorthWestRugby wrote: ↑Sat May 13, 2023 1:51 pm

Danno wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 1:50 pm Should be a cracking game, I suspect the other semi will end up being a bit more one-sided in comparison.

Shame ITV don't get the semis. But who says the audience needs to grow eh.

This game is on ITV

Sunday at 3.00:
ITV1: You've Been Framed
ITV2: Stuart Little 2
ITV3: Downton Abbey
ITV4: The Magnificent Seven Ride

It's on ITV4 - Curry/Curry vs Reffell.

Puja

Apologies. Someone sent me the link showing Sale Vs Leicester on ITV from 2022

If it's any consolation, it's on Viaplay in Sweden. So the game is being grown over here...

Handre Pollard pulling out injured just before kick off is a massive blow for Tigers.

T Curry should be in the bin for the cheap shot on Liebenburg. Tips and then releases the player in the air. Weak reffing.

I can't get used to tigers in red for some reason.

Nasty injury for curry as I type.

B Curry copped a nasty one there in the ruck

twitchy wrote: ↑Sun May 14, 2023 3:32 pm I can't get used to tigers in red for some reason.

Nasty injury for curry as I type.

Xmas all year for them. Like their novelty kit was mistakenly made permanent.

Mr Mwenda wrote: ↑Sun May 14, 2023 3:32 pm B Curry copped a nasty one there in the ruck

Hopefully it looks worse than it is. Really bad luck for him. Looked like he was overextended and then the Tigers prop comes in at speed and the force goes sideways through Curry as West slips off him.

FKAS wrote: ↑Sun May 14, 2023 3:35 pm

Mr Mwenda wrote: ↑Sun May 14, 2023 3:32 pm B Curry copped a nasty one there in the ruck

Hopefully it looks worse than it is. Really bad luck for him. Looked like he was overextended and then the Tigers prop comes in at speed and the force goes sideways through Curry as West slips off him.

Fingers crossed. Looked in a lot of pain.