THE FACTS
When is Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks taking place? Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks will take place on Friday 7th January, 2022 at 19:45 (UK)
Where is Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks taking place? Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks will take place at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol
Where can I get tickets for Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks? Ticket information for Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks can be found on each side’s official website
What TV channel is Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks on in the UK? Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks in the UK? BT Sport subscribers can stream Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks live on the BT Sport Player & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Bristol Bears: 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Ioan Lloyd, 13 Semi Radradra, 12 Sam Bedlow, 11 Henry Purdy, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Fitz Harding, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Chris Vui, 5 John Hawkins, 4 Joe Joyce (c), 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Harry Thacker, 1 Max Lahiff
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 John Afoa, 19 Ed Holmes, 20 Jake Heenan, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Piers O’Conor, 23 Jack Bates
Sale Sharks: 15 Luke James, 14 Byron McGuigan, 13 Robert du Preez, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Will Cliff, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Jono Ross (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Jean-Luc du Preez, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Bevan Rodd
Replacements: 16 Tommy Taylor, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Ben Curry, 21 Gus Warr, 22 Sam James, 23 Simon Hammersley
THE PREDICTION
Bristol Bears lost a tight, entertaining clash away at West Country rivals Exeter last Saturday to make it four-straight defeats in the Premiership. Their season looked like turning a corner back in November but a dismal winter could get a lot worse before it gets better as they barely have enough time to get back into the domestic groove here at home to Wasps before more European fixtures come this month. Travelling Sale are in better shape after their festive covid outbreak with a 26-18 bonus-point victory at home to Wasps seeing them climb to within six points of the play-offs. They are yet to win on the road this season, though, and home advantage will probably see a very tight result edge the hosts’ way in what could be quite challenging conditions. Taking the hosts at +2 would be a suitably cautious move given their recent form but an outright should do it.