Sale Sharks make 11 changes for the visit of Exeter in the Prem Rugby Cup as a whole host of familiar names including skipper Ernst van Rhyn, Rob du Preez and Gus Warr return to the side.
Forwards James Harper, Tom Burrow, Ethan Caine and winger Alex Wills remain from the side that lost narrowly to Gloucester in round three of the competition.
SALFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Ernst van Rhyn of Sale Sharks looks on during the Gallagher PREM match between Sale Sharks and Gloucester Rugby at the Corpacq Stadium on September 25, 2025 in Salford, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
In the front row tighthead Harper is joined by hooker Caine and loosehead Simon McIntyre.
Burrow, who skippered the side against the Cherry and Whites, is joined by returning club captain Ernst van Rhyn in the second row.
And in the back row, former Chief Jacques Vermeulen teams up with Sam Dugdale and Dan du Preez, who makes his first start of the season at number 8.
Warr starts at scrum-half with Rob du Preez outside him at fly-half and the experienced pair will have Marius Louw and Joe Bedlow with them in the centres.
SALFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 13: Rob Du Preez of Sale Sharks during the PREM Rugby Cup match between Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears at Salford Community Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Salford, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images for Sale Sharks)
Alex Wills impressed against Gloucester and he gets another chance, this time with the experience of Tom O’Flaherty and Luke James in the back three.
The Sharks bench is once again packed with young talent with Academy props Tumy Onasanya and Patreece Bell joined by hooker Tadgh McElroy.
Patrick Hogg, Tristan Woodman and Jos Gilmore are the rest of the forwards on the bench, while Nye Thomas and Tom Curtis offer backs options.
Starting XV:
15. Luke James, 14. Tom O’Flaherty, 13. Joe Bedlow, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Alex Wills, 10. Rob du Preez, 9. Gus Warr, 8. Dan du Preez, 7. Sam Dugdale, 6. Jacques Vermeulen, 5. Tom Burrow, 4. Ernst van Rhyn ©, 3. James Harper, 2. Ethan Caine, 1.Simon McIntyre.
Replacements:
16. Tadgh McElroy, 17. Tumy Onasanya, 18. Patreece Bell, 19. Patrick Hogg, 20. Tristan Woodman, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Tom Curtis, 23. Jos Gilmore.
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