Tait is determined to issue a reminder to England manager Martin Johnson © Getty Images

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Matches: Sale Sharks 9 - 17 Worcester Warriors

Players/Officials: Mathew Tait

Teams: England | Sale Sharks

Mathew Tait will return to action with Sale Sharks tonight determined to prove he is ready to leap straight back into an England jersey.

Tait was in line to start England's autumn international programme at full-back before damaging his hamstring a fortnight before the opening fixture against the Pacific Islanders. In his absence, London Irish prospect Delon Armitage delivered a memorable debut display as England opened the new Martin Johnson era with a 39-13 victory at Twickenham.

Tait has been selected at full-back against Worcester tonight and he knows a strong performance will put him back in the frame for England's forthcoming Tests against world champions South Africa and Tri-Nations champions New Zealand. The Premiership emerges from a six-week break this weekend with the Sharks looking to improve their impressive league start of four wins from five matches.

Coach Kingsley Jones said: "We have had several players selected for their countries in the autumn internationals, and that gives opportunities to other players in the squad. We have had a good week preparing for this game, and we are looking forward to it."

Worcester's fit-again skipper Pat Sanderson makes his first Premiership start of the campaign, with former Wales prop Chris Horsman on replacement duty after completing a suspension. The Warriors have recorded a solitary league success from five starts, but a win in Cheshire would see them climb three Premiership places.

Rugby director Mike Ruddock said: "We produced a great performance away to Sale last season. We played 80 minutes of great rugby, scored the try of the season and it was a catalyst for us in terms of improvement and actually winning games.

"It gave the boys a lot of confidence. Hopefully, we can get that win on Friday to get us off and running. Sale Sharks are a good side. Any team that goes away to France and puts big points on Clermont Auvergne (in the Heineken Cup) makes you sit up and take notice.

"They have a few players away on international duty, and that could work to our advantage. But once you start thinking that will make it easier, that is when your troubles start. We are expecting a really difficult game, and they will be fired up. They will also remember that we beat them last year, so they certainly won't underestimate us this season. The surprise element has gone.

"The break has given us a chance to take a lot of the guys out of the front-line. We have been able to freshen them up a little bit. It has also given us a chance to get people back from injury."

Tomorrow, Premiership leaders Bath host second-placed Leicester at The Rec with Tigers boss Heyneke Meyer eyeing top-spot. He said: "We haven't played our best rugby. I am quite positive that things will fall into place soon. It will be a very physical and tough game, and to go there and get the points is what we need to do."

George Chuter, Jordan Crane and Dan Hipkiss are available for Leicester after returning from England duty.