Sale wary of Elwood threat

Sale Sharks have identified veteran Irish international Eric Elwood as a potential threat to their European Challenge Cup ambitions.

Sharks take a seven-point lead into Sunday’s semi-final second leg tie against Connacht at Edgeley Park, having triumphed 25-18 in Galway three weeks ago.

And while they are firm favourites to reach next month’s final – against Pau or Brive in Oxford on May 21 – the tournament favourites know there is still a job to be done.

“We only hold a seven-point lead from the first leg, and we know that Connacht will be well prepared for this game,” said Sharks rugby director Philippe Saint-Andre.

“They were a well-organised side when we played them three weeks ago, and Eric Elwood is a very accomplished goalkicker. We need to cut down on the number of kickable penalties we concede.”

Saint-Andre hands a full Sale debut to former Ebbw Vale prop Ben Coutts as one of several changes following the first leg success.

Elsewhere, centre Jos Baxendell replaces Chris Rhys Jones, England fly-half Charlie Hodgson takes over from Mike Hercus, Bryan Redpath starts in the number nine jersey, while Lions hooker Andy Titterrell reverts to a front-row berth after recently featuring at openside flanker.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has named a 26-man squad, but his selection plans could be affected by injury problems, with forwards Peter Bracken (back), Ray Hogan (hamstring), Dan McFarland (shoulder) and John Fogarty (neck) among six players carrying knocks.

“We are very conscious of Sale’s strengths, but now we have seen them at first-hand and we are very familiar with their game,” said Bradley.

“However, we do have to close down their exceptional back-three of Jason Robinson, Steve Hanley and Mark Cueto and keep a close handle on them, while also matching Sale’s power up-front.

“We expected everything Sale threw at us in the first leg, and there were no surprises. The second leg should be very similar.”