Match Preview: Sale Sharks

• 15 December 2020
• Previews

Get the latest ahead of Saturday's trip to AJ Bell Stadium as we face Sale Sharks in Round 2 of the Heineken Champions Cup.

HOW TO WATCH

The match is live on BT Sport from 7.45pm ahead of an 8pm kick-off (Saturday 19 December). You can also listen live on BBC Radio Scotland or via the Galbraith Match Centre, giving you minute-by-minute updates whistle-to-whistle.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Ref: Romain Poite (France)

Assis Ref 1: Ian Tempest (England)

Assis Ref 2: John Meredith (England)

TMO: Claire Hodnett (England)

OVERALL HEAD-TO-HEAD

Saturday's contest will be the first competitive meeting between the two sides in European competition.

CURRENT STANDINGS

Edinburgh sit in 9th place in Pool A - a point above 10th placed Sale Sharks - after securing a losing bonus-point in Round 1.

ROUND 1 RECAP

Richard Cockerill's side opened their 2020-21 Heineken Champions Cup campaign at home to La Rochelle last Saturday (12 December) in a match that saw the Top 14 leaders clinch a narrow 8-13 win at BT Murrayfield.

Despite late opportunities and a second-half score from Blair Kinghorn, Edinburgh were left with just a single losing bonus-point as La Rochelle claimed the win on the night. Watch the highlights below:

STORY OF THE MATCH

This weekend's encounter at AJ Bell Stadium sees two sides clash that suffered Round 1 defeats to French Top 14 clubs.

Edinburgh Rugby suffered a tight 8-13 loss at home to La Rochelle, while Sale Sharks went down away to RC Toulon, with the French powerhouse eventually motoring to a 26-14 win at Stade Mayol, with the match highlights below.

Despite just 219 miles separating the two clubs - with only Newcastle Falcons in between - this Saturday's contest will be the first-ever competitive encounter between the two sides as Edinburgh Rugby make their first visit to AJ Bell Stadium.

Last weekend's headlines focussed on Sale Sharks now former Director of Rugby, Steve Diamond, who left the club with immediate effect in the build up to Round 1, leaving Paul Deacon as the English Premiership side's Head Coach heading into Saturday's cross-border match-up.

And alongside the off-field drama, supporters can look forward to some sibling rivalry, with winger Duhan van der Merwe likely going up against brother and South African international, Akker van der Merwe - the current Sale Sharks hooker.

Keep an eye on Sale winger Marlan Yarde who beat a staggering eight defenders in Round 1, while front-rower Bevan Rodd was a nuisance at the breakdown, winning four turnover against RC Toulon

Both sides will be desperate for the points in a bid to move up Pool A and into a top four position, or at the very least enough points to earn safe passage to the Challenge Cup knockout stages.