Saint-Andre wants Sharks with bite against Calvisano

PHILIPPE Saint-Andre has challenged English champions Sale Sharks to “kick-start” their Heineken Cup campaign tonight by collecting a maximum points haul against minnows Calvisano.

Sale cannot realistically afford any further slip-ups in Pool Three following an agonising 17-16 injury time loss to the Ospreys last week.

But normal service should resume when Calvisano arrive at Edgeley Park, with rugby director Saint-Andre setting his sights on a considerably improved display.

“We are looking forward to getting back to winning ways after our disappointing display in south Wales,” he said.

“We must, however, respect Calvisano for the whole game. We need to win tomorrow and aim to get a bonus point, too, to kick-start our Heineken Cup campaign and set us up for the back-to-back games against Stade Français in December.”

Sharks will be without England wing Mark Cueto, as he rests an ankle injury sustained against the Ospreys.

Ben Foden takes Cueto’s number 14 shirt, while full-back Jason Robinson, centre Mark Taylor and lock Chris Jones are among those rested on the bench. French powerhouse Sebastian Chabal is recalled at number eight.

In tonight’s other Heineken Cup encounter, Castres are favourites to overcome Pool One outsiders Treviso, especially after a battling performance in losing narrowly to 2004 Heineken Cup winners Wasps last weekend.

SALE: D Larrechea; B Foden, C Mayor, C Bell, S Hanley; C Hodgson, R Wigglesworth; A Sheridan, P Gaona, B Stewart, D Schofield, C Day, J White (capt), M Lund, S Chabal.

Replacements: A Titterrell, S Turner, E Roberts, C Jones, I Fernandez Lobbe, M Taylor, J Robinson.

CALVISANO: R De Marigny; M Cagnoni/M Gallinetti, C Zanoletti, J Downey, W Spragg; A Scanavacca, P Griffen (capt); G Bocca, L Ghiraldini, R Moore, V Bernabo, B Gissing, M Zaffiri, A Persico, D Dal Maso/A Zanni.

Replacements: A Vigne Donati, G Intoppa, L Cittadini, J Purll, A Zanni/D Dal Maso, P Patelli, M Gallinetti/M Cagnoni.

Referee: R. Poite (France)