Sale Sharks face Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens as they aim to strengthen their place in the top four.

Sharks are looking to win their third consecutive Gallagher Premiership game after back to back home victories against Exeter Chiefs and Newcastle Falcons.

Sale sit fourth in the table, but a win, with other results going their way-could see the Sharks leapfrog Harlequins in third and close the gap to Bristol Bears at the top.

Since his arrival, Alex Sanderson has won four of his six games in charge but is yet to record a try bonus point- something Sale have achieved once this season, against Saturday’s opponents.

Northampton sit a place below Sale, but if they were to lose, their hopes of breaking into the top four would be dented and a points difference of 10 could be seen.

Saints have only won one of their last 11 matches on home soil, which was a 29-20 Boxing Day victory over bottom of the table Worcester Warriors.

Team News:

Northampton’s Director of Rugby, Chris Boyd, has named five changes to his starting line-up.

Alex Waller, Reece Marshall and Ehren Painter start in a completely changed front row.

Alex Coles and Tom Wood start at locks whilst Teimana Harrison comes in at No.8.

George Furbank starts at fullback, Tommy Freeman on the wing and James Grayson returns at fly half.

Sharks Director of Rugby, Sanderson has named eight changes to his team.

WillGriff John keeps his place at prop as Akker van der Merwe and Ross Harrison make up the front row.

Cobus Wiese replaces Josh Beaumont at lock and Jean-Luc du Preez returns to the back row alongside captain, Jono Ross who missed out last time through suspension.

Simon Hammersley starts at full back whilst Aaron Reed makes his first appearance of the season in place of Marland Yarde.

Last time out:

Northampton fell to a 37-19 defeat to in-form Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop.

An electric start saw two tries scored a piece in the opening 14 minutes, before Quins crossed for a third to make it 27-12 at half time.

Despite a fantastic solo try from Ollie Sleightholme at the beginning of the second-40, the visitors were unable to capitalise on Quins being reduced to 13-men and had further salt rubbed into their wounds when the hosts added a bonus point try in the last minute.

“It’s a tough competition and you have to take your chances. When they were down to 13, we created opportunities that we didn’t put away and that hurts you in the end,” said attacking coach, Sam Vesty in an interview with Northampton. Saints.

“If we put in the performance against Sale I know we can, I have no doubts we’ll win the game.”

Sale Sharks made it back to back home wins as they overcame Northern rivals, Newcastle Falcons 31-16 at the AJ Bell stadium.

Yarde put Sale ahead after two minutes, before a magical offload from AJ MacGinty set Lood de Jager up for his first Sharks try.

A succession of penalties from both sides reduced the score line to 24-9, before Joel Matavesi’s debut try provided the visitors a glimmer of hope with five minutes to go.

Any hope of a Newcastle comeback was ended within minutes when ex-Falcon, Hammersley dived over to seal victory.

Speaking to BT Sport post-match, Sanderson said: “It’s important to start well in the Premiership and today there was many pleasing aspects of the game I thought was progressive for us.

“The best sides in the Prem are the ones that have the best defences- they win you the Championship. We looked comfortable in defence and slick in attack.”

MacGinty shone as Sharks recorded a home bonus point victory over Saints on what was the opening weekend of the season.

Sale stormed into an early 17 point lead after tries from van der Merwe and Dan du Preez added to an early MacGinty penalty.

Tom Collins’ try and points from the boot of Grayson reduced the hosts’ lead to seven points at the break, before a Hammersley try widened Sharks’ advantage.

MacGinty secured the bonus point on the hour after a moment of brilliance saw the fly half’s solo run and dummy result in a converted try.

Piers Francis crossed to momentarily give Northampton a losing point, however, Rob du Preez’s late penalty wiped away the point to give Sharks a nine point win.

Last three ‘Franklin’s Gardens’ meetings:

Northampton Saints 14-34 Sale Sharks, September 2020

Northampton Saints 67-17 Sale Sharks, February 2019

Northampton Saints 25-34 Sale Sharks, March 2018

Sharks have won two of the last three meetings at Franklin’s Gardens having lost all nine away previously.

Before 2018, their last win at Saints came in May 06, as Sale ran out 36-32 winners in a 10-try thriller.

• Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks kicks off at 2:45pm GMT and is live on BT Sport Extra. 

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