Harlequins v Sale: Teams
Harlequins will look to maintain their perfect start to the new Aviva Premiership season when they welcome Sale on Saturday.
Last Updated: 14/09/12 3:20pm
Harlequins will look to maintain their perfect start to the new Aviva Premiership season when they host struggling Sale on Saturday.
Quins have so far picked up two bonus-point wins over Wasps and London Welsh to start the defence of their domestic title in fine style.
Conor O'Shea has made three changes to his starting line-up to face the Sharks, including recalling England international Danny Care at scrum-half.
The other two alterations come in the pack - Charlie Matthews joins George Robson in the second row and Nick Easter returns to start at number eight as Tom Guest moves to blindside flanker.
Peter Browne and Rory Clegg will look to make their first appearances of the season from the bench, with Maurie Fa'asavalu covering the back-row.
Quins have an excellent recent record against the Sharks and have not lost to their next opponents at home since May 2008.
Poor travellers
Sale, like the hosts, hace made three changes to their squad from last Saturday's loss to Saracens.
Tom Brady comes in for his first game of the season - replacing the injured Will Addison - whilst Mark Easter and Mark Jennings are named on the bench.
"No-one underestimates Harlequins after their first game this season against London Wasps, when you look at the belief they had to be so many points down and come back to win," said Sharks director of rugby Bryan Redpath.
"After winning the Aviva Premiership last season, they merit every credit.
"It's a tough challenge for us on Saturday. After our performance against Saracens, we must build again, showing confidence in our attacking play as much as we have in our defence. We look forward to the game."
Sale's only away win in league action since last December came at Gloucester on April 21. As well as losing to Sarries last week they were thrashed 43-6 by Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on opening weekend.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 Tom Guest, 5 George Robson, 4 Charlie Matthews, 3 James Johnston, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Rob Buchanan, 17 Darryl Marfo, 18 Will Collier, 19 Peter Browne, 20 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Matt Hopper.
Sale: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Richie Vernon, 7 David Seymour (c), 6 James Gaskell,5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 2 Joe Ward, 1 Eifion Lewis-Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Tommy Taylor, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Fraser McKenzie, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Nick Macleod, 23 Mark Jennings.