A top-four finish nears closer for Sale Sharks as they travel to face Bath Rugby

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Sale Sharks’ quest for a top-four finish continues as they travel to face an out of form Bath side in the Gallagher Premiership on Friday night.

With four games to go, the Sharks can’t afford any slip-ups if they are to secure their first play-off finish in 15 seasons.

Sitting third and nine points ahead of Northampton Saints in fifth, a win at The Rec is a must for Sale considering they face all three of the other top four teams in their final games.

However, winning away at Bath is something the North-West outfit haven’t achieved in their last seven visits-  four Danny Cipriani penalties gave Sale a 12-11 win back in 2014.

For Bath, a win would see them end a run of three straight defeats in which two have occurred at The Rec. The West Country side could leapfrog London Irish into sixth if they are victorious tomorrow night.

Team News

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Bath director of rugby, Stuart Hooper has named eight changes to his starting side. Jacques du Toit and Henry Thomas start in the front row alongside Juan Schoeman.

Changes to the second row see Will Spencer and Charlie Ewels start, with Sam Underhill and Zach Mercer coming into the back row. Two changes have been made in the backs, Will Chudley starts at scrum-half, with Rhys Priestland at fly-half. Former Sharks Academy graduate, Cameron Redpath starts at centre.

Sharks’ director of rugby, Alex Sanderson has made three changes to his starting 15. Changes in the second row see Josh Beaumont replaced by former Bath player, James Phillips. The lock is partnered by JP du Preez. Cobus Weise and Jean-Luc du Preez retain their starting place, although they shift to flanker and number eight respectively.

Simon Hammersley replaces Luke James at full-back in the only change to the backs. Sharks have named eight Academy graduates on the bench, which includes a welcome return to the matchday squad for Ben Curry – the flanker has been sidelined for six months with a shoulder injury.

Last meeting

Sale Sharks 22-27 Bath in the Gallagher Premiership

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A strong first-half performance from Bath saw them leave the AJ Bell victorious as they spoilt Alex Sanderson’s first director of rugby outing.

Tom de Glanville fired the visitors into the lead when he crossed after 105 seconds, but Sharks hit back and levelled when Jono Ross powered his way over from close range.

The game was won in the final 10 minutes of the first-half as two tries saw Bath lead by 14 points at the interval.

Tom Dunn forced himself over to restore Bath’s lead, before a pick and go from Josh Bayliss punished a Sharks mistake on the halfway line.

Sale started the second 40 perfectly as a quickly taken Dan du Preez penalty resulted in a try, but Bath’s advantage was again widened from the boot of Rhys Priestland.

Dan du Preez thought he had crossed for his second try with five minutes remaining, however, upon a TMO review, the pass to him was deemed to be forward.

The hosts did manage to cross before the end when Cameron Neild dived over deep into overtime to secure a losing bonus point.

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