AP Preview: Wasps v Sale

London Wasps entertain Sale as both teams scrap to get their seasons back to winning ways. Wasps flattery to deceive opponents has deserted them since the turn of the year. Sale's slide towards oblivion since reaching their zenith in 2006 matches Newcastle's near demise. Can Wasps stop the rot?

Ben Jacobs, Joe Ward, Joe Worsley, Simon Shaw and Dan Ward-Smith all return for Wasps, with Richard Haughton taking over at full-back from Mark van Gisbergen.

Intriguingly, transfer news almost eclipses both teams' league form, with Wasps' signing of Chris Bell, erstwhile Tyke and Quin, seeming to confirm Ben Jacobs departure. Sale's hooker Neil Briggs returns just as news reaches the club of Joe Ward's move from Wasps next season.

Charlie Hodgson's flirtation with Wasps came to nought once the impending signings of Nicky Robinson, from Gloucester, and Ryan Davis, from Exeter, were confirmed, with Dave Walder bound for warmer climes come the 2011/12 seson.

News of comings and goings so unfeasibly early this year points to two things, 1. a possible attempt to distract from how poorly Wasps have been going of late and, 2. plans for next season are being made concrete despite the departure of the most recent architect, Tony Hanks.

The Six Nations campaign hardly ever helps keep the keel even. Just ask Northampton! Come 4.45pm today, we'll know just how off kilter the rest of the season might be. Wasps to squeak a win, perchance? Or might they rediscover their creative vision?

Wasps: 15 Richard Haughton; 14 Ben Jacobs, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 David Lemi; 10 Dave Walder, 9 Joe Simpson; 1 Tim Payne, 2 Joe Ward, 3 Ben Broster, 4 Simon Shaw, 5 Richard Birkett (Capt.), 6 John Hart, 7 Joe Worsley, 8 Dan Ward-Smith

Bench: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Bob Baker, 18 Zak Taulafo, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 James Cannon, 21 Nic Berry, 22 Mark van Gisbergen, 23 Andy Powell

Sale: 15 Rob Miller; 14 Tom Brady, 13 Chris Bell, 12 Kyle Tonetti, 11 Ben Cohen; 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Dwayne Peel;  1 Lee Imiolek, 2 Neil Briggs, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Chris Jones, 5 Sean Cox, 6 James Gaskell (Capt), 7 Neil McMillan, 8 Sisaro Koyamaibole

Bench: 16 Aston Croall, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Jack Forster, 19 Wame Lewaravu, 20 Nic Rouse, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Nick Macleod, 23 Paul Williams