Title Defence Sets Sale

Saracens vs Sale Sharks. Saturday 17 October.  Aviva Premiership Rugby.  Allianz Park.  The Saracens title defence begins with a home tie against a Sale Sharks side who finished seventh last time around, just missing out on a return visit to the European Rugby Champions Cup.

There were a quartet of matches between the sides last season, with Sarries accompanying Sale in the "Pool of Death", with the Sharks falling by the wayside alongside Munster, ending the pool winless, although only just. Sarries won 19-15 in Salford with tries from Owen Farrell and Mako Vunipola, and completed a double with a 28-15 success in NW4.

With England's premature departure, they are theoretically available for Sarries selection, although in practice may be given a longer break as European action is not too far away, and the pool is equally as challenging as last time out. That said, a strong line up is necessary to give the best possible chance of a winning start ahead of a potentially tough match at Gloucester on the following Friday. It would also provide another opportunity for Duncan Taylor and Will Fraser to feature in the first team following return from injury.

Sale's results were largely disappointing away from home, although victories were taken at London Welsh, Harlequins and Newcastle but competitive at the AJ Bell Stadium, taking in a 14-10 win against Saracens in the Premiership in February, following a 40-19 loss at Allianz Park the previous September.

Sale are a good side when on the front foot play enterprising attacking rugby, scoring 16 more tries than the previous campaign, not least through the creativity of Danny Cipriani, who, given the poor performance of England, has even more of a point to prove. Now, Steve Diamond, who has restored the Cheshire club to top six challengers from relegation battles, has signed the veteran scrum half Peter Stringer from Bath. His speed and accuracy of pass will be an asset to the Sharks' attacking game, particularly in tandem with Cipriani, and appears yet another shrewd signing by the club, as does the addition of former Rugby League player Paul Deacon as a coach.

Elsewhere, departures from the club have seen lock Nathan Hines and stalwart winger Mark Cueto enter retirement, whilst second row Michael Paterson went to Northampton Saints and long serving hooker Marc Jones ended ten years at Sale by moving to Bristol along with scrum half Will Cliff, whose Sharks debut was in 2006. Back up scrum half Nathan Fowles went to Edinburgh, whilst centre Andy Forsyth signed for Yorkshire and the Italian duo of Luke McLean and Alberto di March returned to Benetton Treviso.

They have been replaced by some shrewd experienced signings. Former Northampton Saint Brian Mujati comes in at prop following a spell at Racing Metro92,  Kiwi lock Bryn Evans signs from Biarritz, having previously featured for London Irish, and hooker Neil Briggs arrives from Leicester Tigers. Allied to this, the successful academy side continues to provide an increasing number of first team players.

Taking a punt at possible line ups. Saracens with Alex Goode at full back with Chris Ashton and Mike Ellery on the wings outside a centre partnership of Tim Streather and Duncan Taylor and a half back combination of Charlie Hodgson and Ben Spencer. Into the forwards, and a potential front row of Richard Barrington, Jamie George and Petrus du Plessis. The second row could feature Maro Itoje and Alistair Hargreaves, with Jackson Wray, Will Fraser and Ernst Joubert making up the back row.

For Sale, who are fresh from winning the Kings of the North pre-season tournament, despite a closing loss at Leicester Tigers, they may deploy a similar line up. That would see Mike Haley at full back, with Tom Brady and Charlie Ingall on the wings, and Will Addison accompanying a centre berth with Sam Tuitupou, and Cipriani with Stringer in the half backs. Forwards-wise, a possible front row includes James Flynn, Briggs and Mujati, with Evans alongside Jonathan Mills at lock, and a back row of Dan Braid, Dave Seymour and Mark Easter.