Rob du Preez is stepping into the fray as Sale Sharks gear up for a titanic clash against Leinster in Dublin this Saturday. In a strategic shuffle for the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final, du Preez will feature at outside centre, stepping in for his fellow South African, Marius Louw. This change is one of three pivotal adjustments as the Sharks aim to topple their hosts in what is arguably the zenith of club rugby challenges.
Sale’s lineup is fortified by a robust South African presence, including No 8 Dan du Preez, flanker Jacques Vermeulen, and lock Ernst van Rhyn, who will lead the team as captain. The squad has also had to navigate through recent injuries, with Ethan Caine grabbing the hooker spot from Luke Cowan-Dickie, who sustained a season-ending forearm injury. Additionally, Si McIntyre will cover for Bevan Rodd at loosehead prop.
"We'll need to be at our best because there is no bigger challenge in club rugby,"
asserted Alex Sanderson, Sale's director of rugby. He further emphasized the team’s resolve, stating, "We're not going there to be part of their party and to make up numbers. We’re taking Manchester on the road and we’re going to have a proper dig at them. This is a team that rises to challenges and finds the best of itself when their backs are against the wall. We understand that we’re going there as underdogs but we’re going to go after them and do it for 80 minutes."
Meanwhile, Leinster is grappling with its own roster issues. Key player Caelan Doris is out of the game, prompting a reshuffle that sees Jack Conan moving to No 8 and Ryan Baird from the second row to the back row. James Ryan will return at No 5 lock, with Dan Sheehan captaining the squad. The front row sees a youthful injection with Alex Usanov, a 20-year-old academy prop, set to make his first Champions Cup start.
In the backline, Garry Ringrose is back in the mix, joining Jamie Osborne in the midfield, while Rieko Ioane shifts to the left wing, setting the stage for a high-octane confrontation.
Leinster Team: Hugo Keenan, Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne, Rieko Ioane, Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Ryan Baird, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan (c), Alex Usanov. Bench: Ronan Kelleher, Jerry Cahir, Tom Clarkson, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Ciaran Frawley, Robbie Henshaw.
Sale Sharks Team: Joe Carpenter, Tom Roebuck, Rob du Preez, Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Tom O’Flaherty, George Ford, Gus Warr, Dan du Preez, Sam Dugdale, Jacques Vermeulen, Ben Bamber, Ernst van Rhyn (c), Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Ethan Caine, Si
2,100 posts
Rob du Preez is stepping into the fray as Sale Sharks gear up for a titanic clash against Leinster in Dublin this Saturday. In a strategic shuffle for the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final, du Preez will feature at outside centre, stepping in for his fellow South African, Marius Louw. This change is one of three pivotal adjustments as the Sharks aim to topple their hosts in what is arguably the zenith of club rugby challenges.
Sale’s lineup is fortified by a robust South African presence, including No 8 Dan du Preez, flanker Jacques Vermeulen, and lock Ernst van Rhyn, who will lead the team as captain. The squad has also had to navigate through recent injuries, with Ethan Caine grabbing the hooker spot from Luke Cowan-Dickie, who sustained a season-ending forearm injury. Additionally, Si McIntyre will cover for Bevan Rodd at loosehead prop.
"We'll need to be at our best because there is no bigger challenge in club rugby,"
asserted Alex Sanderson, Sale's director of rugby. He further emphasized the team’s resolve, stating, "We're not going there to be part of their party and to make up numbers. We’re taking Manchester on the road and we’re going to have a proper dig at them. This is a team that rises to challenges and finds the best of itself when their backs are against the wall. We understand that we’re going there as underdogs but we’re going to go after them and do it for 80 minutes."
Meanwhile, Leinster is grappling with its own roster issues. Key player Caelan Doris is out of the game, prompting a reshuffle that sees Jack Conan moving to No 8 and Ryan Baird from the second row to the back row. James Ryan will return at No 5 lock, with Dan Sheehan captaining the squad. The front row sees a youthful injection with Alex Usanov, a 20-year-old academy prop, set to make his first Champions Cup start.
In the backline, Garry Ringrose is back in the mix, joining Jamie Osborne in the midfield, while Rieko Ioane shifts to the left wing, setting the stage for a high-octane confrontation.
Leinster Team: Hugo Keenan, Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne, Rieko Ioane, Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Ryan Baird, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan (c), Alex Usanov. Bench: Ronan Kelleher, Jerry Cahir, Tom Clarkson, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Ciaran Frawley, Robbie Henshaw.
Sale Sharks Team: Joe Carpenter, Tom Roebuck, Rob du Preez, Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Tom O’Flaherty, George Ford, Gus Warr, Dan du Preez, Sam Dugdale, Jacques Vermeulen, Ben Bamber, Ernst van Rhyn (c), Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Ethan Caine, Si