Preview: Sale Sharks vs. Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints can make it three wins in a row in all competitions on Friday when they visit bottom-placed Sale Sharks at the Salford City Stadium.

However, three defeats from their last four Aviva Premiership matches have left Jim Mallinder's side in fourth place in the table.

A second win of the season for the hosts could lift them to within a point of safety.

New Sale director of rugby John Mitchell made three changes as Cameron Shepherd, Johnny Leota and Richie Gray all come into the starting XV.

The visitors will be boosted by the returns of Ben Foden and Dylan Hartley from injury, but Courtney Lawes is unavailable due to his recent call-up for England.

Recent form

Sale: LLWLWL

Northampton: LLLLWW

Lineups

Sale: Shepherd; Amesbury, Leota, Tuitupou, Cueto, Cipriani, Peel, Harrison, Taylor, Buckley, Gray, Myall, Powell, Seymour, Vernon Replacements: Ward, Lewis-Roberts, Cobilas, McKenzie, Gaskell, Cliff, Macleod, Miller

Northampton: Foden, K Pisi, G Pisi, Waldouck, Elliott, Lamb, Roberts, Tonga'Uiha, Hartley, Mujati, Manoa, Sorenson, Clark, Dowson, Van Velze Replacements: Haywood, Waller, Doran Jones, Oakley, Nutley, Dickson, Myler, May

Sports Mole says: Quins to record a routine win