Sale Sharks aiming to avoid third straight defeat as they take on unbeaten Harlequins

Sale Sharks will be aiming to avoid a third straight defeat when they host reigning champions Harlequins at the AJ Bell Stadium this evening.

Despite a positive start to the new season, the Sharks have lost their last two games against Exeter Chiefs and most recently Gloucester last weekend.

Sale looked well-beaten when they found themselves 15 points behind with six minutes to play at Kingsholm, but three quick-fire tries gave them the chance to snatch victory with the last kick of the match. However, fly-half Tom Curtis saw his touchline conversion sail narrowly wide meaning the hosts held on for a 33-32 win.

Harlequins travel to the AJ Bell with hopes of maintaining their unbeaten start to the season after winning all three of their matches against Newcastle Falcons, Worcester Warriors and Bristol Bears with three bonus points.

Despite the Quins playing a game less than most teams, the current champions lead the way for the most points (113) and tries (17) scored so far this campaign, something the Sharks will have to be wary of.

Harlequins pulled off a remarkable second half comeback last week to defeat Bristol Bears 52-24 at the Stoop. Billy Millard’s side scored seven second half tries without reply to overturn the 21-point deficit they trailed by at the interval.

In terms of team news, the hosts are strengthened by the announcement British and Irish Lion Tom Curry will start at openside flanker. It will be Curry’s first club involvement this season after he completed his mandatory rest period after his international duties in South Africa over the summer.

England international Manu Tuilagi also returns to the starting 15, however, a blow for the Sharks is they may be without Faf de Klerk for longer than expected.

The scrum half is away on international duty with South Africa but has aggravated a hip injury which could sideline him for months if surgery is required. Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson has confirmed the club are awaiting the news on the extent of the injury.

“There are concerns that it could be months but we need confirmation,” said Sanderson. “The scan results are with the consultant in London right now and we have all his previous reports which they want to see before they make a decision.

“Rehab, surgery or crack on are the three options but we haven’t had the decision yet.”

Harlequins star Marcus Smith will make his first start of the season at the AJ Bell after, like Curry, his mandatory rest period is over. The fly-half came off the bench in the 26th minute against Bristol to score 17 points which included kicking six of his eight conversion attempts.

The Quins only other changes to the starting line-up see James Chisholm and Luke Northmore replace Tom Lawday and Louis Lynagh.

After back-to-back defeats, the Sharks find themselves sitting ninth in the table, although a win against the Quins would see them climb into a play-off position for the night at least.

The visitors, on the other hand, can finish the night as table toppers if they maintain their 100% start to the campaign. Their time at the summit would depend on how Leicester Tigers get on away at Worcester on Saturday.

In recent times, the Sharks have had the upper hand in meetings between the two at the AJ Bell. The Quins have lost their last seven matches at Sale, with their last away victory against the Sharks coming in 2015, a game which current Shark Marland Yarde scored for Quins.

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