Preview: Gloucester vs Sale

Preview: Gloucester vs Sale

Sale make the journey South to face Gloucester in Kingsolm on Friday evening, both sides with just two wins so far in this year’s Premiership competition.

Gloucester will be happy to be back infront of the “Shed” this weekend, their home form being far superior to their away form so far this season. They will be the first to admit that their problem this year has been tries-or the lack of tries to be precise. 180 minutes have passed since David Halaifonua got over the line against Worcester Warriors, and they will be eager to get out of the blocks early and give the crowd something to get behind. That match against Worcester was their last win, as defeats to La Rochelle and Glousceter have since followed. They name a big pack for this one, with internationals Hibbard, Afoa, thrush and Kalamafoni all adding considerable ballast ot the pack. Behind the scrum, young Billy Burns is injured, and so James Hook starts at ten, with Villy Twelvetrees and Bill Meakes alongside him in the centres.

The visiting Sale side will be just as desperate for a win as their hosts. They lie seventh in the table, above Gloucester by virtue of a draw last weekend at home against the falcons. Scoring tries hasn’t been an issue for this Sale team, but conceding them has, having leaked ten already this year. Sale are winless in their last seven away from home in the Premieship, a run that goes all the way back to February of this year. Cipriani will pull the strings from his usual out half position as Sale look to end that run and finally grab a win on the road.

Conditions may be cold on Friday evening in the west country, but expect both teams to try and throw the ball around in their usual style. Should be a cracker, follow on the app from 19:45.