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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
When Sth Africa had Joost and Honiball at 9 and 10 they were almost impenetrable in and around the ruck. Even Jonah couldn't make headway in those channels so they were very hard to get in behind. They had a fantastic side who played a fast, rugged style which won them the Tri Nations during that period. That side would beat their current mob of which I have no doubt.
Go to commentsAwesome win by the NZ U20s. They were excellent in the 2nd half with some very patient and accurate phase play, a dominant scrum and decent lineout. Simpson controlled things very well at 10 and it was amazing to see the team maintain their composure and score points when he was in the sin bin for a very harsh yellow card.
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