Charl Marais, the Springbok hooker, will be paraded in front of an estimated 3,000 Heywood Park crowd prior to his debut for Sale against Saracens next week and in what is expected to be a pre-match pageant to another shark attack against Connacht. But this may be an opportunity for Connacht, as Sale may be a little complacent this afternoon.
Following last week's scratchy win in Galway, coach Jim Mallender has, unsurprisingly, rotated his squad and six of last week's replacements' bench start this afternoon. Effectively, threrefore, this is the Sale team which finished last week, save for the presence of fit-again Samoan flanker Apollo Perelini, who was a late withdrawal seven days ago.
Overall, Connacht's hand looks to be marginally improved with the return of Johnny O'Connor, already a big, big player for Steph Nel's team, which in turn will allow Paul Neville to be even more effective on the blind side of the back-row. Bearing in mind Eric Elwood's struggles with a groin strain, Mark McHugh was an improvement last week and thus could, conceivably, be so again. However, Darren Yapp may be a loss, especially if Wayne Munn (who moves into midfield) doesn't buck up on his tackling from last week.
Connacht need to win and make up the four tries to three, 33-30 margin of last week to assume pole position in the pool. However, Sale have long since targeted the Parker Pen Shield this season and will be mindful that this is their best chance to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in five attempts.
Sale also know that after dipping their bread against Roma only two other pool leaders have scored more tries so therefore they are well placed for a top four ranking and a home quarter-final if they continue winning.
While Connacht are less inclined to roll over and have their bellies tickled, in the circumstances, it would seem unlikely that Sale would let that slip.
SALE: V Going; M Cueto, M Shaw, M Deane, A Elliott; C Hodgson, J Bramhall; A Black, A Titterrell, S Turner, I Fullerton, M Giacheri, A Perelini, A Sanderson, R Wilks. Replacements: A Dickens, S Hanley, S Davidson, S Lines, K Yates, P Anglesea, B Jackman.
CONNACHT: G Duffy; P Duignan, W Munn, T Allnutt, J Ferris; M McHugh, E Reddan; D McFarland, T Kearns, P Bracken, R Frost, D Browne, P Neville, C Rigney, J O'Connor. Replacements: R McCormack, H Bourke, A Maher, M Swift, E Elwood, M McPhail, D McCabe.
Referee: S Mancini (Italy).
Previous meetings: (2001-2) Connacht 30, Sale 33. Formguide: Connacht 18-6 v Narbonne (h), 20-10 v Roma (a), 30-33 v Sale (h). Sale - 93-0 v Roma (h), 13-10 v Narbonne (a), 33-30 v Connacht (a).
Leading try scorers: Sale - Apollo Perelini Connacht - Munn, Uijs, McFarland, Allnutt, Duignan 1 each.
Leading points scorers: Sale - Charlie Hodgson 43; Connacht - Eric Elwood 32.
Betting (Paddy Powers): Handicap odds (= Connacht + 18 pts) 10/11 Sale, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Connacht.
Forecast : Sale to win.
