Sale Sharks vs. Bristol Bears: Sharks Expectant To Repeat 2002 History

Sale Sharks will face Bristol Bears in the next encounter of Gallagher Premiership on 9th April 2022 at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Hooker van der Merwe made his comeback from the bench last week, and after impressing Sanderson in his first appearance in over four months, the Springbok has been picked in Sale's starting front-row alongside Nick Schonert and England International Bevan Rodd.

Following a succession of strong performances, Cobus Wiese returns to the lock position, replacing the outgoing Lood de Jager in the second row.

Meanwhile, the commanding Jean-Luc du Preez returns to action after missing the previous weekend due to sickness. Du Preez, who wears number six, joins twin brother Daniel and Jono Ross in the Sharks' back row. Ross will lead the team from openside flanker, while Daniel will wear number eight.

Sale Sharks: 15. Luke James, 14. Jack Metcalf, 13. Sam James, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Aaron Reed, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Faf de Klerk, 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Nick Schonert, 4. Jacobus Wiese, 5. Lood de Jager, 6. Jean-Luc du Preez, 7. Jono Ross (c), 8. Dan du Preez.

Replacements: 16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Simon McIntyre, 18. Coenie Oosthuizen, 19. Matthew Postlethwaite, 20. Tommy Taylor, 21. Raphael Quirke, 22. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23. Simon Hammersley

Bristol Bears face Sale Sharks in the first of two two-leg European Heineken Champions Cup last 16 elimination rounds on Saturday, with clubs playing home and away for a chance to advance to the quarter-finals.

With Bristol now lying in 10th place in the Gallagher Premiership, the Bears' whole season is now dependent on a strong run in Europe.

15. Luke Morahan, 14. Jack Bates, 13. Piers O’Conor, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Alapati Leiua, 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Bryan Byrne, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Joe Joyce (c), 6. Chris Vui, 7. Sam Jeffries, 8. Nathan Hughes.

Replacements: 16. Harry Thacker, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. John Afoa, 19. Steven Luatua, 20. Fitz Harding, 21. Andy Uren, 22. Semi Radradra, 23. Charles Piutau.

Sale Sharks will win with a majority of 7 or more points; bet on Handicap Bristol (+6.5) to win.

Sale Sharks’ exceptional performance suggests that the team will need only 20 minutes to win; bet on Sale Sharks will win in 20 minutes.

Sale Sharks will not leave a moment to score, and it is obvious that they will make the first try and win; bet on Sale Sharks to make the first try and win.

• Handiсap Bristol (+6.5) 1.83
• Sale Sharks To Win In 20 Minute 1.952
• Sale Sharks Make The First Try and Win 2.50

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