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England stars to start for Sale Sharks one week after World Cup bronze final
By Josh Raisey
England fly-half George Ford is set to start for Sale Sharks on Friday against Gloucester one week after facing Argentina in the World Cup bronze final at the Stade de France.
Ford came on from the bench to play the final 25 minutes against the Pumas, but is set to start at the Salford Stadium alongside fellow England international Bevan Rodd, who also came on from the bench in Paris.
The loosehead Rodd did not see a huge amount of action during the World Cup, while Ford's participation in the tournament dwindled once Owen Farrell returned from suspension having had a starring role at the beginning of the tournament.
Argentina hooker Agustin Creevy also came on from the bench in that match, but he too is set to start against the Cherry and Whites in what will be his debut for the Sharks.
England flanker Ben Curry could also make his return from injury in the match, having spent five months out with a hamstring injury.
Gloucester's only England player at the World Cup, Jonny May, is not part of their squad.
Sale Sharks XV
15. Sam James, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Rob du Preez ©, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Arron Reed, 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Agustin Creevy, 3. Nick Schonert, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Ernst van Rhyn, 7. Sam Dugdale, 8. Dan du Preez.
Replacements
16. Nathan Langdon, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. James Harper, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Ben Curry, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Alex Wills, 23. Tom Ellis.
Gloucester XV
15 Jake Morris, 14 Jack Reeves, 13 Chris Harris (c), 12 Mark Atkinson, 11 Alex Hearle, 10 George Barton, 9 Charlie Chapman, 1 Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2 Jack Singleton, 3 Kirill Gotovtsev, 4 Freddie Thomas, 5 Arthur Clark, 6 Albert Tuisue, 7 Ben Donnell, 8 Jack Clement
Replacements
16 Santi Socino, 17 Harry Elrington, 18 Ciaran Knight, 19 Cam Jordan, 20 Harry Taylor, 21 Micky Young, 22 Max Llewellyn, 23 Josh Hathaway
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Latest Comments
Which country do you think was instrumental in developing rugby in Argentina which then spun off into the rest of Latin South America? South Africa was touring Argentine in the 50's with their Junior Bok side on three months development tours. And they didn't do it to cultivare players for the Boks. Regarding Africa you are not taking into account that South Africa itself is an emerging nation. The rugby union has prioritised the development of rugby in South African rural communities with outstanding success.
It has taken 15 years to build the participation of rugby both in playing and watching. For South Africa on its own to build a viable international rugby competition in africa will take generations - not decades. New Zealanders seem to resent the fact that SA has doubled the income of the URC since their inclusion. If New Zealand Rugby hadn't insisted on have a disproportionate slice of the pie in Super Rugby, SA might not have fled the coop.
Go to commentsDon't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
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