2020-21 European Rugby Champions Cup – Scarlets vs Sale Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Scarlets vs Sale taking place? Sunday 4th April, 2021 – 17:30 (UK)
Where is Scarlets vs Sale taking place? Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
Where can I get tickets for Scarlets vs Sale? Visit official club websites for ticket information
What television channel is Scarlets vs Sale on? This match will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream Scarlets vs Sale? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Scarlets: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Steff Hughes, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Ken Owens (c), 1 Wyn Jones
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Steff Thomas, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Lewis Rawlins, 20 Blade Thomson, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Jonathan Davies
Sale Sharks: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Byron McGuigan, 13 Sam James, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Jean-Luc du Preez, 5 Josh Beaumont (c), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Bevan Rodd
Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 James Phillips, 20 Cameron Neild, 21 Raffi Quirke, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Luke James
THE PREDICTION
Scarlets finished off their Pro14 campaign strongly with an impressive 41-36 victory over Connacht to finish behind the Irish side in third place and guarantee themselves Champions Cup rugby against next season. They have won three of their last four league games and two in a row at home, though travelling Sale Sharks will be eager to break that record in a knockout format that suits their style. The Sharks beat Exeter Chiefs 25-20 over a month ago for their first of four wins from their last five Premiership matches, and a 19-20 win at the death at Wasps last weekend looks like the cutting edge they will need to overcome Scarlets here. The score-line could be too close to call but both sides are no strangers to big scores so Sale to snatch a win here in a match that goes over 40 points looks a reasonable outcome.
