Sale Sharks will leave no stone unturned in their hunt to finish in the top half of the Premiership this season, says director of rugby Steve Diamond.
The seventh-placed Sharks play at lowly Worcester Warriors on Saturday on the back of six successive wins, including last week’s stirring home upset against high flyers Exeter and a hard-earned away victory against Leicester a fortnight ago.
Unbeaten in 2016 and on their best streak since 2006/07, Sale will be boosted by the return of captain and recent England recruit Josh Beaumont as they seek to keep the heat on Northampton, Harlequins, Wasps and Leicester, all within four points.
“With the form that we are in, we are targeting every game which is why we managed to beat Leicester and Exeter,” said Diamond, whose team have trumped Worcester in their last seven encounters.
“If we have any ambition then we have to go down to Worcester, play as well as we can and try and squeeze a win.
“They have nudged themselves towards the relegation battle but they are a good side, they have lost games in the last two or three minutes like we have.
“We have got to play the best we can to come away with something.”
Also returning to the starting lineup in place of Johnny Leota is Sam Tuitupou, making his 100th appearance for the side since joining in 2011 from Munster.
Mark Easter will drop to the bench while Jonathan Mills and Tom Arscott return to replace Andrei Ostrikov and Will Addison.
Sale Sharks: 15. Mike Haley, 14. Tom Arscott, 13. Sam James, 12. Sam Tuitupou, 11. Nev Edwards, 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Peter Stringer, 1. Eifion Lewis Roberts, 2. Tommy Taylor, 3. Vadim Cobilas, 4. Bryn Evans, 5. Jonathan Mills, 6. Cameron Neild, 7. David Seymour, 8. Josh Beaumont (capt.)
Replacements: 16. Neil Briggs, 17. Ross Harrison, 18. Brian Mujati, 19. Magnus Lund, 20. Mark Easter, 21. Chris Cusiter, 22. Joe Ford, 23. Mark Jennings
Image courtesy of Sale Sharks via YouTube, with thanks.
