The search for the strongest starting line-up continues at Sale but player-coach Jim Mallinder has retained his full-back place after Wednesday's win at Bristol.

The high-flying Sharks will stick with the 34-year-old on Saturday for the visit of European champions Northampton as Vaughan Going continues to struggle with a hamstring injury.

Currently second in the Zurich Premiership having recorded impressive wins against Bath and Gloucester and completing the West Country triple this week at Bristol a rejuvinated Sale are picking from strength under new coach Glenn Ross.

Mallinder, who has been assisting Ross with coaching duties, said: "It was always envisaged that I would appear at some stage in the season but Glenn felt it was important for the two of us to work closely together in preparing a squad of largely new players.

"We had obtained the services of Vaughan, who is a very good full-back, so we didn't feel it necessary for me to start this season. Vaughan has been playing pretty well too but he has this hamstring problem that kept him out on Wednesday and we decided to give him more time to recover rather than rush him straight back.

"I enjoyed the game at Bristol and I think we got over the complacency that I believe had crept in when we played Newcastle last weekend."

The experiments with the starting line-up continue in the front row with Phil Winstanley making way for Adam Black. Steve Davidson keeps his place on the right wing for the injured Matt Moore but Mel Deane takes over in the centre from Jos Baxendell to face his former Richmond team mate Allan Bateman.

Joe Clarke starts at hooker and Andy Whittle has recovered from a shoulder injury and return in place of Scott Lines in the second row.

Team: Jim Mallinder, Steve Davidson, Mel Deane, Dan Harris, Steve Hanley, Niki Little, Bryan Redpath, Adam Black, Joe Clarke, Jon Thiel, Guy Manson-Bishop, Andy Whittle, Pete Anglesea, Alex Sanderson (capt), Andy Morris

Replacements: Steve Hatley, Jos Baxendell, Martin Shaw, Rob Appleyard, Scott Lines, Phil Winstanley, Bernard Jackman