Marland Yarde has recovered from an ankle injury and tonight returns on the wing for London Irish against a Sale team stuck at the bottom of the Premiership and in turmoil, writes Chris Jones.
Bryan Redpath has been demoted to backs coach with director of rugby Steve Diamond taking charge of the team while John Mitchell, the former All Blacks coach, is acting as a consultant.
If Irish can maintain the form that almost brought them victory against champions Harlequins — who were lucky 31-28 winners last weekend — the pressure on Sale will increase at the Salford City Stadium. Sailosi Tagicakibau moves into the centre in place of Jonathan Joseph and Scott Lawson starts at hooker for Irish. Darren Allinson starts his first match of the season at scrum-half alongside Ian Humphreys while lock George Skivington will be on the bench after recovering from injury.
London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith said: “Tonight will be a big test of how far we have come this season. We played some great rugby last weekend and were disappointed not to see it through.
“We need to make amends. We face a difficult challenge — Sale have some great players.”
