Timely return for Gloucester's Tindall
England international Mike Tindall makes a timely return for Gloucester Rugby as they prepare to travel north for Friday night’s Guinness Premiership fixture at Sale Sharks.
Tindall return is one of several changes that Head Coach Bryan Redpath has made to his side following their 35-6 defeat at the hands of London Wasps last weekend.
Tindall has been absent with a hamstring injury since Gloucester’s victory at Leeds Carnegie on October 4th and forms a new look centre partnership alongside Tim Molenaar.
Samoan international Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu is ruled out with a knee injury and James Simpson-Daniel moves to the wing.
At half back, Welsh international Nicky Robinson returns at fly half to partner Rory Lawson.
There are two changes to the pack that started against London Wasps last weekend. Paul Doran-Jones starts in place of Alasdair Dickinson who injured a shoulder in that game and Andrew Hazell takes over from Akapusi Qera at openside flanker.
Head Coach Redpath, a former Sale scrumhalf, is keenly anticipating returning to his former club.
“I’m looking forward to it. We’ve played well up there in the past. Last year we didn’t perform as well but the previous three times we’ve done really well.”
“In all three games we’ve been in front and Charlie (Hodgson) has kicked his way back into it every time. We have to be aware of the threat he poses.”
Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Kingsley Jones meanwhile has selected named Welsh international Dwayne Peel in his side – he will partner Charlie Hodgson at halfback.
Previews the clash, Jones said: “There were some pleasing signs in the game last week at Northampton. We fought back well in the second half and were not that far away at the end. Gloucester are in a false position near the foot of the table and I am sure that after their defeat last week at home to Wasps, they will be ready for a real scrap tomorrow night.”
Centre Lee Thomas also returns for the game.
The Teams:
Sale Sharks: 15 Nick Macleod, 14 Ben Cohen, 13 Andy Tuilagi, 12 Lee Thomas, 11 Marika Vakacegu, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Luke Abraham, 6 Carl Fearns, 5 Dean Schofield, 4 Brent Cockbain, 3 Jack Forster, 2 Marc Jones, 1 Eifion Roberts,
Replacements: Mahonri Schwalger, Gavin Kerr, Rob O’Donnell, James Gaskell, David Seymour, Chris Leck, Jonny Kennedy, Oriol Ripol
Gloucester Rugby: 15 Tom Voyce, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Tim Molenaar, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Rory LawsonGareth Delve (captain), 7 Andrew Hazell, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Dave Attwood, 4 Will James, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Paul Doran-Jones,
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawiduik, 17 Pierre Capdevielle, 18 Yann Thomas, 19 Adam Eustace, 20 Akapusi Qera, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Carlos Spencer, 23 Charlie Sharples
