Leicester lost to Worcester
Photo:Premiership Rugby
Will Leicester Tigers bounce back against Sale?
By Peter Moore
Leicester Tigers vs Sale Sharks
As we head into Round 5 of the Gallagher Premiership season, this weekend throws up some more intriguing games. Among them is one in the East Midlands on Sunday, where Leicester Tigers face the Sale Sharks at Welford Road.
Both sides come into Sunday’s game looking for their second victory of the campaign. The hosts’ only win in the Premiership this season was against Newcastle, who they beat 49-33, whilst Sale’s only success saw the Sharks defeat Worcester Warriors. Sale will be looking to get off the foot of the table, where they currently sit with just four points to their name. Tigers, find themselves in seventh place with nine points, including five bonus points.
Tigers go into Sundays game on the back of three defeats in their last four at Welford Road. though are a side who don’t travel well. Last victory on the road from the men from the North West was back at Franklin Gardens against Northampton Saints in March.
Leicester boast a good record against Sale, having won on the last three occasions, whilst Sharks only victory at Welford Road since February 2008 was a 10-3 success in February 2016.
Kyle Eastmond and Adam Thompstone return to the Leicester Tigers backline for the game against Sale. Eastmond comes into the starting 15 after making an impact from the bench in last weekend’s game against Warriors. One player who hasn’t made the squad is the exciting Manu Tuilagi, who has a leg injury.
England Under-20’s Ben White will start his first Premiership game at scrum-half, with Ben Youngs among the replacements after picking up a knock in last weekend’s defeat to the Warriors.
Sale welcome back Andrei Ostrikov from injury for his first game of the season, whilst Rob Webber returns at Hooker with Josh Strauss included at Number 8.
With an exciting game in prospect, I have picked out one player to keep your eyes on. Marland Yarde from Sharks has been in scintillating form this season. A former England player who is a pacey and tricky winger.
You can watch the game on NBCSN at 7.00pm
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