Forwards - Sisaro Koyamaibole, Kristian Ormsby, David Seymour, Carl Fearns, Sean Cox, James Gaskell (capt.), Nic Rouse, Wame Lewaravu, Karena Wihongi, Jack Forster, Neil Briggs, Marc Jones, Andrew Sheridan, Aston Croall, Simon McIntyre.

James Gaskell, aged 20 years, will be the club's youngest ever captain, taking over that particular honour from Alex Sanderson. The 'record' has stood since 2000.

This will be the first game at Premiership level for 19-years-old Tom Brady, who has impressed Mike Brewer and the coaching staff in pre-season training and matches, and gains a place in the squad on merit. From Urmston (visible from the balcony of the club's Carrington training base), local boy Tom has played junior rugby for Ashton-on-Mersey and Preston Grasshoppers.

Ten of the named squad have yet to make their 'competitive' debut for Sale Sharks: Williams, Brady, Tonetti, Mulchrone, Crane, James, Rouse, Lewaravu, Wihongi and Croall.

Mathew Tait (Knee) and Mark Cueto (calf) join Charlie Hodgson (shoulder) on the injury list