2020-21 Premiership Rugby – Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks taking place? Saturday 13th March, 2021 – 14:45 (UK)
Where is Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks taking place? Franklin's Gardens, Northampton
Where can I get tickets for Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks? Check official club websites for information about purchasing tickets
What television channel is Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks on? BT Sport have the rights to televise Gallagher Premiership matches so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks? If televised on BT Sport, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Fraser Dingwall, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 James Grayson, 9 Tom James, 8 Teimana Harrison, 7 Lewis Ludlam (cc), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Alex Coles, 4 Alex Moon, 3 Ehren Painter, 2 Reece Marshall, 1 Alex Waller (cc)
Replacements: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 JJ Tonks, 21 Henry Taylor, 22 Rory Hutchinson, 23 Harry Mallinder
Sale Sharks: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Byron McGuigan, 13 Sam James, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Arron Reed, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jono Ross, 6 Jean-Luc du Preez, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Will-Griff John, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Ross Harrison
Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Josh Beaumont, 20 Dugdale, 21 Raffi Quirke, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Tom Roebuck
THE PREDICTION
The form appears to be turning between these two sides as Northampton lost to make it two defeats in a row now just as Sale Sharks made it two wins on the bounce. The Saints start this weekend’s fixtures in fifth after that two-match run of losses but they could draw level with their visitors with a bonus point victory here, however unlikely that is after last week’s 37-19 humbling by Quins. Sale Sharks have beaten both Bristol and Exeter in their last five Premiership games but have lost close matches they should have won to fully realise their potential. This looks exceptionally close between two sides who could be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. Sale to edge a match that goes just over 40 points seems the most reasonable option of a tricky fixture.
