Sharks announce team to play Bath

Posted on Apr 12, 2012 in English Rugby, Premiership, Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks make three changes to their starting fifteen, one positional, for their Aviva Premiership Round 20 game at home to Bath Rugby on Friday 13th April (7.45 p.m.)

Andrei Ostrikov, who has not featured since the first Saturday in February, comes into the second row and Joe Ward starts at hooker. James Gaskell switches from lock to flanker. Henry Thomas is included in the squad for the first time since New Year’s Day: the England Saxons prop damaged a knee at Leicester, as well as having to have his face stitched following a clash with colleague David Seymour!

Sharks Team: 15.Rob Miller, 14.Tom Brady, 13.Johnny Leota, 12.Sam Tuitupou (capt.), 11.Mark Cueto, 10.Nick Macleod, 9.Dwayne Peel,1.Andrew Sheridan,2. Joe Ward, 3.Tony Buckley,4.Andrei Ostrikov,5.Kearnan Myall,6.James Gaskell,7.David Seymour,8.Andy Powell.

Replacements: 16. Marc Jones, 17.Vadim Cobilas, 18.Henry Thomas,19.Richie Vernon,20.Mark Easter,21.Cillian Willis, 22.Will Addison,23.Charlie Amesbury.

Sharks’ CEO Steve Diamond said, "Bath are a very good side, with World-class players, including Michael Claassens and Stephen Donald. We were competitive at Newcastle, but didn’t manage the game for the full eighty minutes. We’ve hopefully rectified that in training.

"Our side has trained well this week, and we’re looking forward to the final Friday night Aviva Premiership fixture at Edgeley Park. We’re looking to continue to progress and produce a good, hardworking performance."

England Under-19 Regional Academies beat Australia Schools

Posted on Dec 10, 2009 in Rugby News

England’s Under 19 Regional Academy opened a four-match touring programme by the Australian Schools by scoring four tries to two to claim a 27-12 victory at Lymm RFC this afternoon.

Coach John Fletcher was always confident that his side had the talent to test the visitors and they fulfilled all his expectations in holding the whip-hand from the moment full-back Jonathan Joseph (London Irish) crossed for the opening try and fly-half Jake Sharp (Saracens) converted.

Sharp claimed the second after 19 minutes and converted his own score for a 14-0 lead and while Australian centre Matthew Garland cut the deficit with a 29th minute try to raise the visitors’ morale and make the interval scoreline 14-5.

However, a third try from wingman Earl Collins (Worcester Warriors) on 40 minutes opened up the lead once again, although once again the tourists refused to concede the struggle and rallied with a try by flanker Jack de Guingand that scrum-half and captain Matthew Lucas converted to bring his side within a score at 19-12.

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