Leeds tipped to turn the form-book upside down!

Scotland's finest!
By apb
February 17 2005

So, Sale have all their internationals back, some seven in number. Charlie Hodgeson has taken a pounding in the not-so-well-thought-out press, and will be right there to show he can do the job for Sale if not for England. A home tie on a Friday night, against a club that they have never lost to.

A nailed on Sale win.

Well, obviously not, or I wouldn't be spending any of my "hard earned" cash on going over the pennines to watch!

Leeds are going to win this match, and here's for why: They need it more.

The last time they were at Edgeley Park, Leeds put in a half performance in the Powergen Cup that allowed the lazy journos watching from the comfort of their London armchairs to declare: Leeds don't know how to do this rugby union lark. As a fan, that grates with me quite a lot. Just imagine what it must have been like for the players!

Hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone, Leeds will need all the points they can wring out of the next seven games. Although Sale would argue they need to do the same in order to ensure their place in the play-offs, fighting for survival is a different animal to fighting for a notional place in a controversial play-off system.

Furthermore, Leeds have exactly three internationals rejoining us this week, in the not inconsiderable shapes of Gavin Kerr, John Dunbar and Gordon Ross. And of course, only one of those actually got a game in the last two weeks. Who do we think is going to want to prove their worth as a Scotland starter next week? The Sale chaps may just be a little bit reticent to hit hard, knowing that they will need to be at the top of their game for the internationals themselves (OK, a bit far-fetched, but it could happen!)

Teams

On paper, both squads are extremely strong, although one concern for the Tykes is the absence of former captain and talisman prop Mike Shelley who is still struggling with the calf injury picked up during the Worcester debacle. Gavin Kerr therefore moves to loosehead to fill his shoes, and - in what might be considered something of a surprise, and perhaps informed by the recent announcement of his move to Bristol - Mark Regan drops to the bench to make way for Rob Rawlinson. Chris Murphy also drops to the bench, with Scott Morgan coming in, and Alix Popham makes a welcome return to the twenty-two after his long standing neck injury.

In the backs, Tim Stimpson moves to the wing, with Iain Balshaw remaining at full-back. Snyman, Christophers, Bell, Dickens and Ross make up the rest of the three-quarter line in what still appears to be a very strong line-up. If only they could fire up to the potential they have, they would be just about unbeatable!

As stated before, Sale will field all of their internationals returning, and of course all eyes will be on Charlie Hodgeson to see if his kicking form returns for his club. Personally I hope he doesn't get many chances to try! Jason Robinson had a relatively quiet game last Sunday as well, but once again, better safe than sorry - lets not give him the ball, shall we? The Sale pack looks strong as well, and the duo of Sheridan and Titterell, having warmed the England bench for the last two weeks will be raring to go as well.

So?

So it'll be tough. It'll be uncompromising up front, and it'll be full of flair out wide. It may even be a try-fest. But I believe the Tykes can win it and shock the Cheshire boys and come home with a bag full of premiership points.

Go on boys, you can do it!!!!

Those teams again:

Sale:

15 Jason Robinson
14 Mark Cueto
13 Jos Baxendell
12 Robert Todd
11 Steve Hanley
10 Charlie Hodgson
9 Bryan Redpath
1 Andrew Sheridan
2 Andy Titterrell
3 Barry Stewart
4 Chris Jones
5 Dean Schofield
6 Jason White
7 Magnus Lund
8 Sebastien Chabal

Replacements from
Sebastien Bruno
Stuart Turner
Chris Day
John Carter
Sililo Martens
Mike Hercus
Chris Rhys Jones
Chris Mayor
Johnny Rodham

Leeds:

15. Iain Balshaw
14. Andre Snyman
13. Phil Christophers
12. Chris Bell
11. Tim Stimpson
10. Gordon Ross
9. Alan Dickens
1. Gavin Kerr
2. Rob Rawlinson
3. Rayno Gerber
4. Scott Morgan
5. Tom Palmer (c)
6. Jon Dunbar
7. Richard Parks
8. Colm Rigney
16. Michael Cusack
17. Mark Regan
18. Chris Murphy
19. Stuart Hooper
20. Mark McMillan
21. David Rees
22. Alix Popham

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