England prospect to make low-key return after serving six week biting ban

England prospect Cameron Redpath is set to make his return to rugby this weekend after a lengthy lay-off thanks to a summer biting ban.

Redpath has been involved in England training in the past and has been a standout star for England 20s. However, his summer was largely spent serving a six-week biting ban handed down at the U20s Championship.

The Narbonne born back was found guilty of biting Ireland U20s hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin.

The centre is one of 12 changes made the Sale Sharks made to the match-day squad that beat Premiership Rugby Cup holders Northampton Saints at the AJ Bell Stadium last Saturday.

The son of legendary Scottish scrumhalf Bryan Redpath will line at inside centre as Director of Rugby Steve Diamond names a mix of youth and experience ahead of the Sharks trip to Saracens this weekend.

The England prospect endured a stop-start season last time out as he bid to return from an ACL injury picked up in 2018.

The 19-year-old joins an influx of exciting young talent in a new-look backline for Sale, which boasts an average age of just 21.

Both half-backs are set to make their full Sharks debuts at the Allianz on Saturday; South African International Embrose Papier will start at 9 alongside former Stockport Rugby Club junior Tom Curtis at fly-half.

After impressing at the Premiership Rugby Sevens earlier in September, Tom Roebuck makes his first senior start of the season on the wing, he will be supported by Simon Hammersley and Byron McGuigan who bring experience into the back three.

Steve Diamond has clearly been impressed by some of the young Sharks coming through the ranks at Sale and welcomed the opportunity of getting the chance to see some of his academy prospects in action for the first team on Saturday, commenting on his selection he said:

“Cam Redpath and Luke James will come into the centres with young Tom Curtis at fly-half. Tom has really impressed the coaches over pre-season so it will be great to see him playing, hopefully he can take his training form into the match this weekend."

After an impressive performance last week prop Bevan Rodd is rewarded with his first start for the club since joining the senior academy last season. He is joined in the front row by Jake Cooper-Woolley and Curtis Langdon, who replaces Rob Webber in the starting fifteen.

Matt Postlethwaite is the only other change in the forwards as he takes Josh Beaumont’s place in the second row.

In the absence of Club Captain Jono Ross, the side will be skippered by Ben Curry, who despite his young age is already demonstrating he is a senior figure within the squad with his exceptional commitment and leadership qualities.

TEAM:

15. Simon Hammersley, 14. Byron McGuigan, 13. Luke James, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Tom Roebuck, 10. Tom Curtis, 9. Embrose Papier; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Curtis Langdon, 3. Jake Cooper-Woolley, 4. Matt Postlethwaite, 5. James Phillips, 6. Jean-Luc du Preez, 7. Ben Curry (Capt.), 8. Dan du Preez

Replacements:

16. Rob Webber, 17. Ross Harrison, 18. Joe Jones, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Sam Moore, 21. Gus Warr, 22. James Williams, 23. Sam James.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt and captain Rory Best explain their line-up changes ahead of Saturday's match against Japan. Schmidt also responds to accusations made about Ireland's illegal scrummaging earlier this week.