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Rohan Janse van Rensburg switches position as Sharks name team for Saints
By Online Editors
Rohan Janse van Rensburg switches positions in a changed-up Sale Sharks backline as Steve Diamond’s side prepare to face Northampton Saints in the penultimate round of the regular Gallagher Premiership season.
As reported by RugbyPass last night, Janse Van Rensburg switches to the wing as Sale Sharks make four changes to the matchday squad that was crowned Premiership Rugby Cup Champions last Monday evening.
After a disappointing defeat to fellow top-four contenders Bath Rugby in round 20, the Sharks’ destiny is firmly in their own hands with just two fixtures to complete before this season’s play-off positions are decided. Director of Rugby Steve Diamond opts for an experimental line-up for the trip to Franklins Gardens as he looks to guide the club to their first semi-final appearance since 2006.
Loosehead prop Ross Harrison makes a timely return to action for Sale this week after straining his ankle during match-day preparations in round 17. The club stalwart is joined in the front row by in-form hooker Curtis Langdon and Springbok Coenie Oosthuizen who both started for the Sharks in Monday’s cup final.
Keeping the victorious second-row pairing from Monday, the imposing Jean-Luc du Preez continues to impress and is joined in the second row by fellow countryman Cobus Wiese, who made his full club debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup Final.
Captain Jono Ross resumes his usual role at blindside flanker and adds to a star-studded back-row including Tom Curry at openside and Daniel du Preez at number 8.
After a man of the match performance last week, Robert du Preez secures the number ten shirt and will have Faf de Klerk distributing inside him at scrum half. Diamond chooses to rotate his centre options once again as the Sharks head to the east-midlands with Manu Tuilagi replacing Rohan Janse van Rensburg in the midfield alongside Sam James.
Janse van Rensburg remains in the in the Sale starting line-up however, as the South African international takes his place on the wing for the Sharks in the first of Diamond’s experimental selections this week. The 18 stone powerhouse is joined in the back three by Simon Hammersley who moves over from full back to the wing for only the second time in his career to accommodate the in-form Luke James in the fifteen shirt.
Internationals Akker van Der Merwe and Valery Morozov join Jake Cooper-Woolley as front row replacements for tomorrow night’s Premiership clash, with James Phillips and Cameron Nield providing further forward cover from the bench. Will Cliff, AJ MacGinty and Marland Yarde will cover the backs for the Sharks’ trip to Franklin’s Gardens.
Sale Sharks Starting XV:
15. Luke James, 14. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 13. Sam James, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Simon Hammersley, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Faf de Klerk; 1. Ross Harrison, 2. Curtis Langdon, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Jono Ross (capt.) 7. Tom Curry, 8. Daniel du Preez.
Replacements:
16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Valery Morozov, 18. Jake Cooper-Woolley, 19. James Phillips, 20. Cameron Nield, 21. Will Cliff, 22. AJ MacGinty, 23. Marland Yarde
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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