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Sale keep the faith but La Rochelle make six changes for Saturday's quarter-final

09 Apr 2021

(Photo by PA)

Sale boss Alex Sanderson has given the entire starting XV that demolished Scarlets last Sunday in Wales in the Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 a vote of confidence by announcing an unchanged team for this Saturday’s quarter-final in France versus La Rochelle.

The Sharks have been disadvantaged by having just a six-day turnaround in between games compared to the eight days afforded to La Rochelle following their win at Gloucester, but Sanderson has placed his faith in his players finding the necessary gas to put it up to their French hosts who have made six changes.

Those alterations include a recall at full-back for France No15 Brice Dulin while the entire front row of Reda Wardi, Pierre Bourgarit and Uini Atonio is promoted from the bench as is livewire Test back row Gregory Alldritt and centre Geoffrey Doumayrou.

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Saturday will only be a second-ever Champions Cup quarter-final appearance for Sale, this latest one coming 15 years after they lost 11-6 to beaten 2006 finalists Biarritz in San Sebastian.

Quizzed on the limited Sale preparation time this week compared to La Rochelle, Sanderson said: “We prepped well for a few weeks to be able to see it through for this weekend. That is just the necessity and the pragmatism of the week that we have got… we’re in a cup final and I can’t wait.”

“It does (have an effect)… I’m a big one for preparation"#LARvSAL #ChampionsCup https://t.co/kilpZqs0Z8
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 9, 2021

LA ROCHELLE: 15. Brice Dulin; 14. Dillyn Leyds, 13. Geoffrey Doumayrou, 12. Levani Botia, 11. Raymond Rhule; 10. Ihaia West, 9. Tawera Kerr Barlow; 1. Reda Wardi, 2. Pierre Bourgarit, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Romain Sazy (capt), 5. Will Skelton, 6. Gregory Alldritt, 7. Kevin Gourdon, 8. Victor Vito. Reps: 16. Facundo Bosch, 17. Dany Priso, 18. Arthur Joly, 19. Thomas Lavault, 20. Wiaan Liebenberg, 21. Thomas Berjon, 22. Jules Plisson, 23. Pierre Aguillon.

SALE: 15. Simon Hammersley; 14. Byron McGuigan, 13. Sam James, 12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11. Marland Yarde; 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Faf de Klerk; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Willgriff John, 4. Jacobus Wiese, 5. Josh Beaumont (capt), 6. Jean-Luc du Preez, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Dan du Preez. Reps: 16. Curtis Langdon, 17. Ross Harrison, 18. Coenie Oosthuizen, 19. J Phillips, 20. Cameron Neild, 21. Raphael Quirke, 22. Robert du Preez, 23. Luke James.

ICYMI: Ahead of Friday's game at Gloucester, @SkeltonWilliam spoke w/ @heagneyl ??? on:
Leaving @Saracens
Life at @staderochelais
Size 19 boots ?
Tackle height & 'big boys having no excuse'
His battle with diet ???
Best & worse Sarries COD players ? https://t.co/Bjdo9coewW
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 1, 2021

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Comments on RugbyPass

CO 21 minutes ago

Michael Cheika: Gravitational shift on cards when All Blacks host Springboks

Exactly, always jams in as doesn't have that electric pace required to go on the outside like Telea, etc.

45 Go to comments

JW 22 minutes ago

Michael Cheika: Gravitational shift on cards when All Blacks host Springboks

He’s actually suggesting the ABs flip it on SA and dominate them with their set piece power game.

If you’re trying to say “bring it on then”, good on you, NZ won most of the games with free flowing rugby instead, so SA can do the same to them if they get it right too.

45 Go to comments

CO 22 minutes ago

Michael Cheika: Gravitational shift on cards when All Blacks host Springboks

Significantly more experienced, larger and faster. Also more valuable to the team as midfielder also. No comparison.

45 Go to comments

JW 25 minutes ago

Michael Cheika: Gravitational shift on cards when All Blacks host Springboks

For me it’s the way it effects his ability to put aways chances where he’s givin plenty of space down the sidelines. He always jams in when he should be scoring in the corner.

45 Go to comments

JW 26 minutes ago

Michael Cheika: Gravitational shift on cards when All Blacks host Springboks

He’s certainly going to be slower with his size and physique, yes, but his real issue is that he can’t beat a man on the outside, and sure extra pace would help like it did when Clarke decided to get a bit lighter again, but you’re right, its mainly his ability to engineer extra space and time, not outright pace, that he lacks.

45 Go to comments

JW 30 minutes ago

Michael Cheika: Gravitational shift on cards when All Blacks host Springboks

We need new game breakers like Mark Tele’a, jack of trades players like Fihaki.

45 Go to comments

JW 32 minutes ago

Michael Cheika: Gravitational shift on cards when All Blacks host Springboks

Rieko doesn’t have acceleration.

45 Go to comments

JW 33 minutes ago

Michael Cheika: Gravitational shift on cards when All Blacks host Springboks

I think he means “already too old”👍

45 Go to comments

JW 34 minutes ago

Michael Cheika: Gravitational shift on cards when All Blacks host Springboks

With last year’s results, the All Blacks surrendered the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2010, having maintained it throughout the entirety of South Africa’s reign as world champions until then.

And only the second time in history. Congratulations to SA on both come from behind wins. Its new life that has no doubt sparked the interest in having three tests series again, like the Bledisloe, and culminated in a new era of bilateral Rugby Championship rugby tours. Lets hope the recent change to hosting both games works in NZs favour this year!

take them on in the physicality stakes.

As we always try to do.

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SadersMan 37 minutes ago

The Black Ferns' youth factor kicking in ahead of World Cup

Well yes. Playing 26 more tests since 2019 than the Black Ferns, for example, obviously allows ENG to blood more players. And to test combinations. As any Coach will say, nothing beats game time.

The PWR also adds to ENG's immense advantage, say compared to Super Rugby Aupiki. Under current formats, the PWR gives players elite competition for 16 matches, plus the possibility of a top 4 Semi & a Final. On the other hand, SRA gives players 6 games plus a Final & 3rd/4th match for the bottom two.

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tf 51 minutes ago

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Agree here, I have no interest in NFL rugby players or not. Wade is another example. It's their career but youd get better odds with a lottery ticket.

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tf 56 minutes ago

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Tuipulotu had a tight hamstring. That was the reason he didnt go for the second test. Not sure it's fixed or not.

Graham got injured early on the Tursday match meaning Kinghorn had way more minutes than I think were planned, otherwise might have moved Lowe a week earlier.

Ryan hasnt been great for ages but seems to have stepped up. Cummings did well against FNP but I think the Ryan decision was already made.

Part of me wonders if Itoji and Ryan will both do 80 and the whole back row will change this week.

2 Go to comments

LJ 1 hour ago

Louis Rees-Zammit rugby return: 'It's time to come home'

Yes!! But don’t come back to a Welsh region being its situation. Either an Irish region or English , even French or South African and Scottish. Take example of Tomos Williams and expand your game not for the benefit of of Welsh appearances but for your overall game.

You were just at the start of your international career albeit a brilliant start but you need to progress to greater heights on your re introduction to the international scene.

At the end of the day, you need to do what’s best for you

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CB 1 hour ago

England ace withdrawn from training on eve of final Lions' Test

James Lowe was picked over VDM as he’s “reliable under high ball, good in defence with a great left boot”.. Offered nothing in attack(1 off-load aside) in 2 tests, and hasn't done any of the 3 things above well. Why wouldn’t you pick VDM?