[AndaleManito]

I would go for:

1. Harrison
2. AVDM
3. WGJ
4. Evans
5. Phillips
6. Ross
7. T. Curry
8. DDP
9. FDK
10. RDP
11. Solomona
12. Van Cannonball
13. S. James
14. Ashton
15. Spaghetti

16. Langdon
17. Oosthuizen
18. JCW
19. Poslethwaite
20. Neild
21. Cliff
22. L. James
23. Byron

Assuming B. Curry out for HIA and DDP recovered. If both unavailable I would Move Ross to 8 and stick Neild at 6. For me, if we don't start Ashton and Solomona on the wings we will lose the game, no way in hell is Yarde going to stop big T!

Potential argument for Ashton at 15 and move McGuigan to wing but I think Hammersley has done little wrong all season, solid under the high ball.

Rob du Preez gets the start over AJ as AJ's form has been dire, doesn't look like a prem 10 at the moment to me, even though defensively he's probably the best 10 in the league. Taking the ball far to much into contact at the moment, what's the point in having world class outside backs if they don't get the ball?

Truly believe we will win this, as much as we've been under-performing so far, I think it will click for us this week against a team who don't pride themselves on attach (though I do expect saints to score a fair few tries)

Bring it on!

[FarnhamShark]

Can't really argue with any of that, except possibly Morozov for JCW (who was injured at Exeter, so who knows?). Absolutely agree about AJ - I'm getting a bit tired of watching him try to sell a dummy, which nobody's ever buying! I'm not convinced by RduP's game management and kicking from hand either. I'd like to see more of Wilkinson or Curtis - there's an opportunity if either is good enough to take it.

[Surbiton_Shark]

Agree with the side - might be tempted to get Ashton in at full back however - just to try and get more attack options in though it's so nice to have someone solid under the high ball

Interesting on AJ - I don't know if he's goes himself to try and get more space free outwide whilst he ties defenders up? - If it is - it's not working so he's better off using Johan/Luke more often then get himself and the other backs organised for work from that phase.

I would stick with him for this game based on continuity - we do have to win and I've not seen anything from Rob DP saying 'pick me'.

Absolutely spot on with Neild starting if DDP isn't fit.

[FleetShark]

Can't argue with any of those selections, the best we have available. For all our back row options going into this season, I didn't expect us to be relying on Neild for possibly one of our biggest games in the league.

[Olyy]

Not 100% sure Faf is about atm - he's not in the training photos they've been putting on social media and usually he's front and centre of any marketing activity.

Maybe given Christmas off? He'll be due a rest at some point soon - could be that they said he could have a couple of weeks off now and be back and firing for the next Heineken Cup rounds?



Edit: I take it back, Jono just posted a clip of Far playing ping pong in his budgy smugglers

[MikeGC]

Edit: I take it back, Jono just posted a clip of Far playing ping pong in his budgy smugglers

[Van Cannonball]

Changeable as our props have been, I’d expect that Shrek will start, although don’t know if at 1 or 3.

Rob Webber appears to be practising line outs in Dimes video today, so bring him onto the bench with Akker starting.

DDP available, so back in at 8 and Jono return to 6.

Saints are dangerous wide and like to throw the ball around so I’d play Byron for defence and intercepts on this one. Denny fit so starts on the right against big T and I’d play Ashton at 15 for creative spark and to chase down breaks.

Hammersley great under high ball but Saints pass through hands more and his defence and speed are not the best. Won’t happen though, he’ll start at 15.

[Lord Elpus]

Dimes said on Twitter that Faf & RJvR rested last week because of injury. Both back v Stains.

[StalyShark]

Dimes said on Twitter that Faf & RJvR rested last week because of injury. Both back v Stains.

He has to say that otherwise people would question why he isn’t putting out his strongest team.

[Lord Elpus]

Yup - maybe Faf had trouble with his balls.

[Clutch]

Yeah. Agree with Crutch but Hammersley will start.
Not sure AJ is the best defensive 10 in the prem. he’s not the best defensive 10 at Sale!!! It is a strength though and a credit to him.

Rob was a mixed bag against Chiefs but that’s the best we’ve played ball in hand and his kicking from hand is miles ahead of AJ. AJ has the edge in the running game as long as Faf makes space for him, but Bigger is a v good defensive 10 as well. If it wasn’t for the goal kicking it would be an easy decision.

[Alex]

[AndaleManito]

very strong team!

[Olyy]

Like the team a lot - WGJ well deserving of a start, and great to see DdP back


I both love and hate those names
Wrap du Presents is a highlight
3 kings Van Der myrrh hahah

[Surbiton_Shark]

Slight surprise over AJ on the bench - mind you he put in a pile of tackles last week.

Am hoping if Rob is 10 then he passes it out to Rohan more!

[Elgar]

Nice team but strongly agree with Surbiton on Ashton at 15.

I think that Saints, compared to for example the Saracens or Exeter possession model, focus on field position by threading kicks from the 13 or 15 channel, short of touch and chasing down strongly, and starting again with good, quick lineout ball from typically between halfway and their opponent's 40.

Against that I think you have to have a back three willing and able to do more than just field and clear effectively; but to counter attack with intent and really limit the suitability of that kicking option.

[Major Bloodnok]

3 kings Van Der myrrh hahah

What? When they could have had Cracker van der Merwe? Missed opportunity, there, I feel.

[IrishShark]

Audio available here provided by sale sharks

[IrishShark]

22-10 FT
Should have been pushing harder for a bonus point though.

[Olyy]

Probably our best performance this season, so far - and still plenty of room for improvement (really should've gotten the BP!)
Rohan and James both had great games, they're definitely our best centre partnership.
Byron/Denny/Ashton as a back 3 worked really well as well.
I think that's our best backrow as well: Jono, a Curry and a du Preez, with two legit locks in the 2nd row (scrum and maul both went well, again).
Darts and goal kicking still a bit of a concern, but that's nothing new for this season.

Happy with that, overall, though.

And if Not Nots don't get a BP win tomorrow then it's top 4 going into Christmas - happy days!



Biggar should be glad that Wayne Barnes wasn't reffing otherwise he'd have been sent off a few times, he was still kicking off at JP well after the end of the game (rugbypass stream kept on broadcasting a few mins after the whistle)

[Lord Elpus]

Decent win but enough opportunities squandered for a bp.

[Clutch]

Decent win!! Hard to please. We kept the top team in the league to 10 points!! Yes we should have earned a BP but that will come if we play like that each week. Having a settled 9-10-12-13 makes such a difference.

[IOL Shark]

There were some outstanding performances today but for me the standout was Evans. Controlled the line out and restarts, made a number of breaks and tackled in the Joni Ross mould. Considering how far down the pecking order he would be without injuries, he proved he’s still an integral part of the team and more than good enough to be in a top 4 team.

[Lord Elpus]

Saints only top until now because of a) Sarries points deduction and b) RWC at start of the season.

Leinster showed Saints true lack of quality.

[Van Cannonball]

We looked a lot better along the back line. Faf was more structured, Rob moved the ball well, Rohan was dangerous, and Sam’s tactical kicking was really good.

I thought Jono had his best game of the season by far. Really heavy collisions ball in hand and in the tackle.

Agreed that Bryn made a big contribution in the lineout.

Akker continues to be amazing in the loose. Hope his injury is minor.

[H's D]

Excellent game, but a top 4 team should really be getting the bonus point given the opportunities. A team like Exeter would have converted at least a couple more.
That said encouraging....
Sam certainly had a good game. No weakness in his tackling, his first chip critical in setting up the position and scrum leading up to the first try. Interestingly his dad now accepts 13 is his best/natural position, his brother more of a 12.
I reckon Rohan&Sam and Luke&Sam both work as a combo, the former obviously first choice though.
Can't wait however for another season to see them both starting more often. Luke may have even more potential than Sam.

Agreed re. Bryn wrt lineouts (especially so given the opposition) but on one occasion in open play he failed to execute a simple draw and pass to Horse. He should be kicking himself. Had he done so I think Mcguigan would have scored to round off a very competitive display, easily justifying his selection.

I also think I saw Tom C. make 3 or 4 consecutive tackles TWICE in phased-play defence, unheard of! Would love to see his stats for the match, they must be outstanding.

[H's D]

duplicated in error

[IrishShark]

Bryn stays a good while for the fans too.

[Centrethreequarter]

From the BBC report. Sums it up perfectly for me. I’d have been very happy to settle for 22-10 before kick off.

Sale produced their most complete performance of the season so far to overpower Northampton with three tries.

[chris1850]

Great win. Akker is fast becoming one of our best signings in recent years. Great line by Rohan for his try. RDP had his best game this season but what has happened to his kicking? He was so reliable last year when he was with us.

TC outstanding again. Just hope his injury wasn't serious. Sam is starting to find his best form again at 13. And Bryn just keeps on performing, though H's D rightly mentions his missed opportunity to draw the defence before putting Byron clear.

Jono played the ref better today. And he was certainly way ahead of Waller who seemed to irritate JP. Having said that, JP was getting very p***** off with Biggar. His complete disrespect for the ref and general petulance was disgraceful. We occasionally see similar from CA and I don't like it. Does more harm than good.

Finally, a big mention for WGJ who once again showed that he is our no. 1 tighthead. He just does the basics very well.

Onwards and upwards! Happy Christmas to one and all!

[Van Cannonball]

Offy has the attendance is 8102 - noise levels were pretty good.

[LymmShark]

Had a cracking day yesterday! Was a bit of a beery one so some of it is a bit hazy. Can someone list off who was injured yesterday and how bad it looked?

I think hammersley, curryT, and akker perhaps were the three that took knocks?

[FarnhamShark]

Impressive result for Bath today. According to the radio commentary, the Bath pitch at the Rec is in poor condition - heavy and muddy. Probably just as well, looking at the talent they've got in their backs!

[IOL Shark]

Think TC injury was shoulder and he looked really uncomfortable coming off the pitch. Was told Hammersley was a hamstring problem, though he didn’t look particularly bad. I’ve a feeling Akker was cramp as he was laughing and joking with the coaching staff when he came off and the bench were taking the p*** out of him.

[Yareet]

Impressive result for Bath today. According to the radio commentary, the Bath pitch at the Rec is in poor condition - heavy and muddy. Probably just as well, looking at the talent they've got in their backs!

The recent televised games have shown a Rec pitch more suited to Old Fartingtons 3rd XV than pro rugby.

[Elgar]

Top stuff. Really enjoyed Rob DP's shape and distribution. Hope we stick with him at 10 as much as possible.

The three forward dummy runners for RJVR's try was excellent, very hard to defend.

On the basis of that performance, don't think you could drop Bryn (extend him for another year?) or Byron for the next game even if every squad member was available.

[AndaleManito]

If fit, (excluding long term injuries) I think our strongest XXIII based on current form is now:

1. Oosthuizen
2. Akker
3. WGJ
4. Evans
5. Phillips
6. Ross
7. T. Curry
8. DDP
9. Faf
10. RDP
11. McGuigan
12. RJVR
13. S. James
14. Ashton
15. Hammersley
16. Webber
17. Harrison
18. JCW
19. JLDP
20. B. Curry
21. Cliff
22. AJ
23. Solomona

I really hope we stick with the same back line, seems pretty obvious but the more they play the sooner they'll start clicking for the full 80. This weekend we saw what they can do when all reading from the same hymn sheet.

Solomona/McGuigan interchangeable for me, I think tactically we're in such a good position: Hammerlsey for the first half, deals with the high ball exceedingly well, steadies the ship, oppo don't make much gain when kicking to him, great ball retention for us. Then in the second half move Ashton to 15 and bring Denny on, and switch to a more counter attack style against tired legs.

Though Rob du Preez had his best game in a sale shirt (excluding kicking from goal), though AJ controlled well when he came on. There were numerous heroic performances, standouts are Evans, Jono, RJVR, Hammers, Akker, James, DDP, but for me the most valuable player was Ashton. I'm not sure the stats but I've seen so many try saving tackles from him this season, and he saved our bacon at least 3 times at the weekend.

Faf is starting to find his rhythm again with us, and I would be surprised if he doesn't have a stormer next game. We're starting to see those quick 1-2 moves between him and Denny, and whilst they didn't come off this game it's clear that the confidence is there.

Overall, we won the game because of our incredible defence, and our monster pack. To have 4 props that would all start for most top 6 clubs (maybe not Sarries) is so important for us, and is such a difference to seasons past. A few people said that Jono would put in better and better performances as the weeks go by after a (by his standards) poor start to the season, and he's doing exactly that. If Evans is able to stay fit I would hope we table him an extension, he's simply a class act. DDP also, whilst not as flashy as normal around the park, and did concede a few turnovers, stole 3 lineouts which is the most anyone in the Prem has stolen all season in one game.

It wasn't a perfect performance though, there we're a few gaps in the defence, and if they had a quick winger rather than big T they would have finished off a few more chances. That said, we also left numerous tries out there. However, the backs really did seem to click, especially for Rohan's try, which whilst he took extremely well, the rest of the backline got him into a great position to do so. RJVR and Sam James are surely out best centre partnership. Sam particularly had one of his best games, certainly his best this season and looks to be in simmilar form to when he was on the England radar.

I've mentioned that we left a few tries out there, which is disappointing, but defence is what really counts in the prem, and we kept saints to only one try when they've scored the most tries so far this season, and that's really encouraging. It really does feel that the attack, whilst not totally there yet, will come, and the outstanding defence will give us confidence.

We really must build on this win though. So far we've been almost a Top14 side, winning the home games but losing away. Bath next week will be a really good indicator of what the rest of the season will bring us. Any win will do, lets hope we carry on in the same vein and bully them with our huge pack.