Sale Sharks' Director of Rugby Philipe Saint-Andre has opted to rest most of his international stars for Friday night's EDF Energy Cup clash with Cardiff Blues.

England's Mark Cueto and Andrew Sheridan, Argentina's Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and France's Sebastien Chabal were all involved in the latter stages of the World Cup and have been rested for an extra week.

Ahead of the Anglo-Welsh Cup opener, Saint-Andre said, "We welcome Sebastien Bruno back from the World Cup this week and he goes straight back into the team. He did not play much rugby during the World Cup and is keen to get back playing regularly.

"I have given the players who played in the World Cup last weekend a few days off but all of them will be back in full training from Monday and all will be in contention for a place in the 22 for next Friday's EDF game against Bath at Edgeley Park along with Jason White who is now back in full training.

"The team played well last week scoring a try bonus against Saracens and against a good Cardiff side the players have a big opportunity to stake their place in the team.

"I said before the World Cup that the Internationals were not guaranteed a starting spot when they returned so the competition for places will be intense in the weeks to come, which is great news for the club and the supporters.

"Our squad will be completed when Luke McAlister arrives in the next couple of weeks."

Sale: Julien Laharrague, Rory Lamont, Rudi Keil, Lee Thomas, Oriol Ripol, Charlie Hodgson, Sililo Martens, Lionel Faure, Sebastien Bruno, Benoit Bourrust, Dean Schofield, Sean Cox, Chris Jones, Magnus Lund, Nathan Bonner-Evans,

Replacements : Neil Briggs, Ben Evans/Stuart Turner, Chris Day, Michael Hills, Richard Wigglesworth, Chris Mayor, Elvis Seveali'I/ Steve Hanley