Sharks Face Saracens: Team News Preview

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 19, 2026 10:14 AM ET

Alex Sanderson made three changes to his Sale Sharks XV for the visit of Saracens on Sunday. The match kicks off at 3pm and is live on TNT Sports.

Team changes and selection

Sanderson shuffled his front row and back three for the game. Asher Opoku-Fordjour switches to loosehead while James Harper remains at tighthead.

Rob du Preez moves from centre to full-back. Tom O’Flaherty swaps from the left wing to the right. Tom Roebuck starts on the left wing.

Back row and debut news

After several strong appearances from the bench, Jos Gilmore earns his first Gallagher Premiership start. He replaces Dan du Preez in the back row.

The back row combines Jacques Vermeulen and Sam Dugdale with Gilmore. Dylan Hodkinson sits among the replacements and could make his Gallagher Prem debut if used.

Half-backs and centres

Gus Warr retains the scrum-half shirt. George Ford partners him at fly-half.

The midfield features Rekeiti Ma’asi-White and Marius Louw. Joe Carpenter is absent due to a groin injury sustained against Leinster.

Front row, second row and bench makeup

Hooker Ethan Caine starts between Opoku-Fordjour and Harper in the front row. Ernst van Rhyn captains the side and pairs with Ben Bamber in the second row.

Alex named a 6-2 bench split with six forwards and two backs. Academy hooker Alfie Longstaff joins props Ralph McEachran and Tye Raymont among the replacements.

Starting XV

No.	Position	Player
15	Full-back	Rob du Preez
14	Right wing	Tom O’Flaherty
13	Outside centre	Marius Louw
12	Inside centre	Rekeiti Ma’asi-White
11	Left wing	Tom Roebuck
10	Fly-half	George Ford
9	Scrum-half	Gus Warr
1	Loosehead prop	Asher Opoku-Fordjour
2	Hooker	Ethan Caine
3	Tighthead prop	James Harper
4	Lock	Ernst van Rhyn (c)
5	Lock	Ben Bamber
6	Blindside flanker	Jacques Vermeulen
7	Openside flanker	Jos Gilmore
8	No.8	Sam Dugdale