Prem Round 4 Preview: Newcastle Red Bulls v Sale Sharks

Christian Wade is chasing Gallagher PREM history on Friday night as he lines up against Sale Sharks needing just one try to equal Chris Ashton’s all-time record.

The Newcastle Red Bulls winger bagged a hat-trick against Exeter Chiefs last time out and it appears a matter of when, not if, he moves past Ashton’s benchmark of 101.

Derby Weekend would be a fitting time to do it as the Red Bulls host a Sale Sharks side brimming with confidence.

Sharks have earned successive victories against Harlequins and Saracens, winning by just a four-point margin on both occasions, and will hope to make it three wins in a row against their northern rivals.

Sale make four changes as Christ Tshiunza and Tom O’Flaherty return to the starting XV after their Champions Cup defeat to Glasgow, though the front row remains unchanged.

England U20s international Dom Hanson has replaced Gus Warr due to a calf strain, while Tom Curry starts at No.8.

Red Bulls will be hoping to build on two encouraging performances as they seek their first win of the season.

Dan McFarland’s men put in a stirring performance against last year’s Gallagher PREM Rugby finalists Exeter Chiefs, ultimately losing 34-28, while they gave Leicester a scare in a 19-24 defeat the week prior.

Wade starts on the right wing, with Josh Hodge playing his first PREM game of the season after recovering from a broken hand. Brett Connon starts at fly-half.

Centre Will Rigg is set for his PREM debut, while Argentinian prop Francisco Moreno could make his off the bench.

TV - Live on TNT Sports 5 & HBO Max (KO Friday 7:45pm)

Referee: Matthew Carley

ARs: Henry Pearson and Veryan Boscawen

TMO: Andrew Jackson

TEAM NEWS

Newcastle Red Bulls: 15. Josh Hodge, 14. Christian Wade, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Will Rigg, 11. Werner Kok, 10. Brett Connon, 9. Simón Benítez Cruz; 1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. George McGuigan, 3. Elliot Millar Mills, 4. Oscar Usher, 5. Cam Jordan, 6. Max Hicks, 7. Tom Christie (captain), 8. Hoskins Sotutu

Replacements: 16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Tom West, 18. Francisco Moreno, 19. Rusi Tuima, 20. Ollie Leatherbarrow, 21. Sam Graham, 22. James Elliott, 23. Zack Henry

Sale Sharks: 15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 11. Tom O’Flaherty, 10. George Ford, 9. Dom Hanson; 1. Nicky Smith, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Ernst van Rhyn (c), 5. Ben Bamber, 6. Christ Tshiunza, 7. Ben Curry,8. Tom Curry

Replacements: 16. Nathan Jibulu, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19. Elia Canakaivata, 20. Sam Dugdale, 21. Alex Lozowski, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Arron Reed

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