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This time next week, England will be getting their Six Nations campaign underway against Scotland, however, Premiership clubs are already facing the effects of player unavailability.
In seven days time, Ireland and Wales will meet in Dublin to kick-off the Six Nations. Whilst supporters and those playing are counting down the days like a child awaiting Christmas, club rugby is already being hit by the effects of the yearly international tournament.
Despite last year’s competition being marred with no supporters in attendance due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Home Nations and Ireland have confirmed games will go ahead at full capacity. The same is expected in Italy, however, in France, there is a 5,000 people limit at open-air stadiums, although the aim is to lift restrictions before the tournament gets underway.
The free-to-air matches last year brought upsets, excitement and tension as the Scots defeated the French on the final matchday to send the trophy to Wales. Although, for Eddie Jones and England, the tournament was one to be forgotten.
The Red Roses finished in a joint-worst fifth-placed finish, conceded their highest ever points total of 121, and for the first time since 1976, England lost to all three Home Nations in the same campaign. However, England responded with three wins from three in the Autumn Series which included a one-point win over World Champions South Africa.
Despite the eager anticipation of the competition getting underway, club rugby is already being hit with the implications of stars being unavailable for selection. Exeter Chiefs are the most affected side in the league with nine unavailable players, whilst four sides have to make do with two players missing.
Ireland, France and England do not allow players based overseas to be selected, however, there are no restrictions on this from other nations and as a result, 20 Premiership players have been called up to play for Scotland, Wales and Italy.
On Sunday, underperformers Sale Sharks host table-toppers Leicester Tigers as rugby union returns to free-to-air television following an agreement with ITV last week.
However, a combined nine players are unavailable for selection due to inclusion in the England squad. Ollie Chessum, George Ford, Ellis Genge, Joe Heyes, Freddie Steward and Ben Youngs are missing for the Tigers, whilst Tom Curry, Raffi Quirke and Bevan Rodd are unavailable for the hosts.
5️⃣ changes for @SaleSharksRugby and plenty for @LeicesterTigers too ??
Catch it LIVE on both @btsportrugby and @ITVRugby ?#GallagherPrem preview ➡️ https://t.co/g8vfm1KB82 pic.twitter.com/DOqgxH74up
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) January 28, 2022
Ewan Ashman, who has been included in Gregor Townsend’s Scotland squad, is starting in the front-row for Sale with Tom Roebuck starting his third league match of the season on the wing.
For Leicester, former England internationals Dan Cole and Richard Wigglesworth start alongside fly-half Freddie Burns who replaces Ford, who will be playing for Sale next season after signing for the club in November.
Former Shark Nic Dolly has been named on the Leicester bench alongside Olly Robinson who is expected to make his club debut after signing on loan from Cardiff last week.
Steve Borthwick’s Tigers have been playing on a different level compared to others this season as they sit eight points clear of Saracens at the top of the pile after winning 11 of their 12 matches.
Leicester’s only defeat of the season and their first loss in 16 matches came in their last league outing when they let a six-point lead slip against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena. After leading 13-7 at the interval, three Wasps penalties and no response from the visitors saw the mid-table side take the four points.
Since that, Tigers have responded with back-to-back wins in the Champions Cup against Connacht and Bordeaux Begles and they will be hoping to get back to winning ways in the Premiership against a Sale side who have failed to meet the expectations set at the start of the campaign.
At the midway point, Sharks sit 10th in the table with a total of 24 points, seven points adrift of the Champions Cup places. This time last season, Sale were second in the table and only five points behind leaders Bristol Bears.
Alex Sanderson’s Sharks have lost seven of their 12 matches so far, and from the defeats, they have only picked up one losing bonus points. However, on home soil, confidence can be taken as Sale have won four of their five league matches at the AJ Bell with their only defeat coming against Exeter Chiefs in October.
If Sunday’s viewing is anything similar to the two meetings already between the sides, neutrals are in for a treat. Tigers won the league meeting 19-11 three months ago, and just three weeks later, they defeated Sale 32-23 at Welford Road in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
In recent fixtures at the AJ Bell, Sale have largely dominated. Tigers have only won once on their last six visits, with their last victory coming on the final day of the 2017/18 season, a result which ended Sale’s hopes of finishing in a Champions Cup place.
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