In team news ahead of the game, Owen Farrell and James Short return to the Saracens starting XV for the penultimate match of regular season.

They are the only changes to the side that won 28-19 at London Irish last weekend. Michael Tagicakibau and Charlie Hodgson both move to the replacement’s bench.

Saracens team vs Newcastle Falcons

15 Alex Goode
14 David Strettle
13 Chris Wyles
12 Brad Barritt
11 James Short
10 Owen Farrell
9 Neil de Kock
1 Rhys Gill
2 Schalk Brits
3 Matt Stevens
4 Steve Borthwick ©
5 George Kruis
6 Jackson Wray
7 Will Fraser
8 Ernst Joubert

16 Jamie George
17 Mako Vunipola
18 Carlos Nieto
19 Mouritz Botha
20 Justin Melck
21 Richard Wigglesworth
22 Charlie Hodgson
23 Michael Tagicakibau

DOES THIS GAME HAVE EXTRA SIGNIFANCE GIVEN THE OBVIOUS LINKS BETWEEEN YOU AND NEIL BACK WITH LEICESTER?

First and foremost it is a game that we are going into looking to perform as a team. I would be lying if I said that it wasn’t a game that I was looking forward to because of the time Neil and I spent with the Tigers. Between us we spent nearly 40 years of our lives at the club and we have many great friends still there. However, we are very much all about Leeds Carnegie now and making Leeds a club that can challenge the likes of Leicester for the major honours in the game. Clearly we are not there yet but we are making good progress so for this season and we go there in good spirits.

HOW DISAPPOINTING WAS THE LOSS LAST WEEK?

Immediately after the game, we were all very disappointed that we had not turned a winning position into a win but in this league you can not afford to take anything for granted. In Charlie Hodgson, Sale had a player who could control the game for them and they managed to fight their way back into the game. We are learning lessons all the time and we will be stronger for that experience. When we have reviewed the game this week, there are lots of positives to come out of the game and especially our performances in the first half. We scored two tries, which were well created and executed, but we had other opportunities that we did not take and you do not get too many second chances in the Guinness Premiership.

HOW IS YOUR SQUAD SHAPING UP THIS WEEK?

We have still got a couple of guys away on international duty however most of the players came through unscathed from last weeks game. We have been monitored Hendre Fourie on a day to day basis after he got an infection in his foot last week that ruled him out on the morning of the Sale game, he has responded well to medication but will not be okay for Saturday unfortunately. Alfie To’oala aggravated a groin injury in the first half last week and we have given him until the last possible moment to prove his fitness but unfortunately he misses out this week.

Kingsley said, ” It’s a quick turnaround this week following the win at Leeds on Sunday. I am delighted to welcome back Mark Cueto and Mathew Tait and have rotated the squad in several positions. We have five big games coming up in quick succession starting with this Friday’s game and I am sure that all my squad will feature at some stage. Wasps had a good start to the campaign and I am sure they will be looking to make up some lost ground after defeats to Leeds and Saracens. Wasps are one of the best sides in the Guinness Premiership and we need to respect them for the whole 80 minutes. We need to be patient too as we were at Leeds and if we show the same character I am sure it will be a great game.”

Team

Marika Vakacegu, Mark Cueto, Mathew Tait, Lee Thomas/David Bishop, Ben Cohen, Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth, Eifion Roberts, Neil Briggs, Jack Forster, Dean Schofield, Sean Cox, Carl Fearns, Luke Abraham, Sisa Koyamaibole

Replacements

Marc Jones, Rob O’Donnell, Martin Halsall, James Gaskell, David Seymour, Chris Leck, Chris Bell, Nick Macleod

Stand By Players

Gavin Kerr, Kristian Ormsby, Ed Styles and Oriol Ripol

ANDREW SHERIDAN

Andrew Sheridan has returned to light training after his shoulder operation and is making progress.

"It's important for all the senior players to give the younger lads good influence"

With Charlie Hodgson’s golden boot kicking Sale Sharks to success against Gloucester last weekend, Hodgson reflects on his and the team’s performance this season and looks ahead to Newport Gwent Dragons in the LV = Cup on Friday

So far this season Charlie has had an impressive 80% success rate for his talismanic goal kicking. Returning from a toe injury, Hodgson kicked seven penalties and a conversion for Sale Sharks against Gloucester in the Guinness Premiership last week and was deservedly voted Man of the Match.

When asked about his performance against Gloucester, Charlie commented, “Of course, I’m pleased, but it’s not about what I do. I think I contribute to the team and that’s just my job. I’ll do that to the best of my ability.

“I was slightly disappointed with the performance because we know we could have played better and we know we could provide some more attractive rugby for people to come and watch but we’re thankful for picking up a win and hopefully we can build on that.”

As a player committed to Sale Sharks for nine years, Charlie is seen as a Vice-Captain that the younger players look up to. Hodgson revealed, “I think it’s important for all the senior players to give the younger lads good influence, not just myself. I remember starting as a nineteen year old and I had lots of help from Bryan Redpath. He helped me through the tougher times, particularly when we weren’t playing so well. And it’s the same for the younger guys coming through.

“James Gaskell has come from not playing a great deal at all, and only playing Academy last year, to being away with England in the Under 20s in the summer and he has now played every game this season bar one I think, even including the pre season games. He’s a young guy playing very well, a very talented player and I’m sure he’s got a bright future ahead of him.

Looking ahead to the LV= Cup this weekend, Hodgson added, “It’s a different competition again and a great way of, obviously, winning a trophy and qualifying for Europe next year. We will do everything we can to give a big performance on Friday.

It’s been a frustrating time for us in the Guinness Premiership this season, but hopefully we can build on the win we gained last week and get a win this weekend against Newport. I want Sale to do well. I want us to achieve things and I want the team to win trophies.”

Watch Sale Sharks v Newport Gwent Dragons on the Welsh Sports Channel S4C or listen to BBC Radio Manchester for live commentary from 7.30PM. Sky Sports will show the match highlights during the weekend.

Kingsley said, “We are expecting a very tough game. Paul Turner has done a great job with the Dragons and they had an excellent result at the weekend when they won at Edinburgh. They also ran Gloucester very close in the Heineken Cup in October. This is a competition we are looking to do well in and I have named a team that I believe will do well.”

Starting XV: Nick Macleod, Ben Cohen, David Bishop, Lee Thomas, Marika Vakacegu, Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth, Eifion Roberts, Mahonri Schwalger, Jack Forster, Sean Cox, Dean Schofield, James Gaskell, Luke Abraham, Carl Fearns

Replacements: Neil Briggs, Rob O’Donnell, Martin Halsall, Kristian Ormsby, Sisa Koyamaibole, Dwayne Peel, Mathew Tait, Oriol Ripol

To Travel: Chris Leck, Gavin Kerr, David Seymour