Anglo-Welsh Cup
Sale Sharks v Bath
Scrum.com
October 24, 2008
Sale and England fly-half Charlie Hodgson in action against Newcastle, September 7 2008
Charlie Hodgson returns to the Sale starting XV against Bath © Getty Images
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Tournaments/Tours: Anglo-Welsh Cup

Sale host Bath at Edgeley Park on Friday in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in what is sure to be a heavyweight encounter.

Sale have won just one of their last four encounters in all competitions, a hugeley impressive 32-15 victory over Clermont Auvergne in the European Cup on 19 October. The Sharks have lost their last two games at Edgeley Park; 17-18 to Cardiff Blues in round 1 of the Anglo-Welsh Cup and 16-24 to Munster in the European Cup.

Bath Rugby beat Newport Gwent Dragons 13-9 in the European Cup at the Rec on Sunday. Bath, who were semi-finalists in this competition in 2005/06, have won just one of their last eight games in the competition, 20-14 at home to Leicester in the opening round last season.

Sale Director of Rugby Philippe Saint-Andre has selected a side blending experience with youth and has restored Charlie Hodgson to the starting outside-half berth. Former Scotland skipper Jason White starts in the back-row alongside David Tait and Carl Fearns.

Saint-Andre said, "I have selected the team, blending youth with experience. The team that played against Cardiff three weeks ago was unlucky to lose and several of those players who played in that game are included again tomorrow. After losing the last two home games we need get into the winning habit at Edgeley Park."

With Bath fly-half Butch James now on a rest period, Jack Cuthbert steps back into the fold as kicker and he will be joined by Rugby League convert Shontayne Hape and young winger Rhys Crane in the back line.

Head Coach Steve Meehan is confident that Bath have an opportunity to grab a victory at Edgeley Park, having failed to do so last season.

"What I want to see is an understanding of what makes Bath a good team to play for and in," Meehan said yesterday. "I want those guys who have not had so much of an opportunity so far this season to put pressure on those who have been starting many games. We need that as a squad. We need people to give the selectors some headaches week in and week out.

"We will therefore be expecting good performances all round and if we have a nice, fine day and we can play some running rugby, I think it will suit our game I'm sure."

Sale Sharks: Nick MacLeod, Mark Cueto, Chris Bell, Andy Tuilagi, Nick Royle, Charlie Hodgson, Chris Leck, Rob O'Donnell, Marc Jones, Martin Halsall, Dean Schofield, Brent Cockbain, Jason White, David Tait, Carl Fearns

Replacements: Dave Ward, Stuart Turner, James Gaskell, Michael Hills, Will Cliff, Rudi Keil, Rory Lamont

Bath Rugby: Jack Cuthbert, Rhys Crane, Tom Cheeseman, Shontayne Hape, Michael Stephenson, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Scott Bemand, David Barnes, Rob Hawkins, Duncan Bell, Justin Harrison, Stuart Hooper, Josh Ovens, Michael Lipman (c), Daniel Browne

Replacements: Lee Mears, Paulica Ion, Nathan Catt, Scott Hobson, James Scaysbrook, Mike Baxter, Robbie Kydd

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