Match Preview: Sale gunning for Toulouse revenge
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Sale Sharks are aiming to bounce back from defeat at Stade Toulousain when they welcome the TOP 14 side to the AJ Bell Stadium in Round 3 of the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday.
Sale were outclassed at Stade Ernest Wallon in Round 2 as Toulouse marched to a 45-19 win and there will undoubtedly be an added edge to the return fixture following a bad-tempered end to the game which saw the hosts’ Thomas Ramos sent off.
That defeat was a setback for Sale, who had kicked off their campaign in style with a 39-0 whitewash of Ulster Rugby, though they remain among the Pool B frontrunners, sitting fourth on five points.
Five-time champions Toulouse are second, having won both their opening games – their other success being a hard-fought 18-13 victory at Munster Rugby.
Since their Round 2 encounter, Sale have won twice in three Gallagher Premiership games, while Toulouse have had the same form in the TOP 14.
The game kicks off at 13:00 (UK & Irish time) and is available to watch on BT Sport, beIN SPORTS, SuperSport and FloRugby.
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Sale Sharks
- Jonny Hill missed the most tackles in Round 2 (7).
- Gus Warr is the only player in the tournament who has kicked two 50/22s.
- Tom Curry has won two ruck turnovers – as many as any other player – and has been a nuisance at the breakdown too, notching nine successes, the second highest in the tournament.
- Robert du Preez has made more break assists than any other player (5).
Stade Toulousain
- Thomas Ramos conceded four turnovers in Round 2 – as many as any other player. His total of seven is the joint highest.
- Antoine Dupont has completed more kicks in play than anyone else (30), with 20 being box kicks.
- Toulouse have conceded the joint-fewest turnovers (15).
- They have kicked more than any other team, achieving 2,048 metres with 67 kicks.