Rugby: Sale point way for England

Sale will spearhead a strong English challenge in this season’s Parker Pen European Shield - with coveted automatic Heineken Cup qualification again at stake.

Harlequins were crowned England’s first Shield winners last term, ending four years of French dominance when they beat Narbonne in a thrilling final which went to extra-time.

Quins have set the example for an impressive six-strong English contingent - five of whom currently occupy positions among the Zurich Premiership’s top half and there is a determination not to disappoint.

‘‘We are really looking forward to the challenge of European competition,’’ said Jim Mallinder, whose Sale outfit are joined by Saracens, Bristol, Gloucester, London Irish and Leeds in a 32-team tournament comprising eight qualifying groups.

Although Mallinder rests Jason Robinson, Bryan Redpath and Kevin Yates for the Heywood Road clash with Roma tomorrow, overseas recruits Stu Pinkerton and Mark Giacheri both start - as does exciting young English fly-half prospect Charlie Hodgson.

‘‘The players we are bringing in are all itching to get into the action, and this is an opportunity for them to state their case,’’ added Mallinder.

‘‘We’ve made our selections with a view to winning the Shield and qualifying for next season’s Heineken Cup.’’

Sale face a tough pool, though, with Narbonne and Celtic League quarter-finalists Connacht also targeting top spot and a last-eight place.

Saracens, whose England prop David Flatman makes his first start of the season after recovering from a hand injury, kick off against Vicarage Road visitors Bordeaux-Begles tomorrow.

The pool eight clash sees Lions Scott Murray and Kyran Bracken among Saracens’ replacements, but England flanker Richard Hill features in a starting XV captained by Abdel Benazzi.

Elsewhere tomorrow, London Irish visit Dax, Gloucester host La Rochelle and Leeds travel to Italy where Overmach Parma - complete with England internationals Adedayo Adebayo and Steve Ojomoh await them. Bristol, meanwhile, tackle Bourgoin on Sunday.

Neath, easily the brightest Welsh hope, are also in Bristol’s group but the quarter-finals promise to be very much an Anglo-French affair.

Of the French contenders, Christophe Lamaison’s Agen look dangerous, as do Narbonne and possible dark horses Beziers, whose squad includes former Bath flanker Angus Gardiner.

Pool One: Rovigo (Italy), Montauban (France), Agen (France), Ebbw Vale (Wales).

Pool Two: Madrid 2012 (Spain), Colomiers (France), Pau (France), Petrarca (Italy).

Pool Three: Beziers (France), Pontypridd (Wales), Leeds (England), Overmach Parma (Italy).

Pool Four: Sale (England), Roma (Italy), Connacht (Ireland), Narbonne (France).

Pool Five: Bourgoin (France), Bristol (England), Neath (Wales), Viadana (Italy).

Pool Six: Dax (France), London Irish (England), L’Aquila (Italy), Valladolid (Spain).

Pool Seven: Caerphilly (Wales), GRAN Parma (Italy), Gloucester (England), La Rochelle (France).

Pool Eight: Bologna (Italy), Dinamo Bucuresti (Romania), Saracens (England), Bordeaux-Begles (France).