| Venue: Ashton Gate Date:Friday 7 January Kick-off:GMT 19.45 Coverage: Check out the BBC Sport website for updates and live scores. |
From the side that narrowly lost to Exeter last weekend, Bristol makes three changes for Sale.
Max Lahiff rejoins their front row, John Hawkins in lock and Henry Purdy in the wings. Luke Morahan moves to fullback.
Sale only have one change from their team that beat Wasps. British and Irish Lion Tom Curry will be returning to their back row.
He arrives to assist his twin brother Ben as he falls to the bench.
Bristol have lost the last four Premiership fixtures, but have earned a losing bonus point over the past two.
Sale has won three league titles since September, all at home. However, their last away win was at Bristol’s West Country neighbours Bath in May.
Sale fly-half AJ MacGinty is expected to line up against the team he will join from next season.
Referee Wayne Barnes will also be taking charge of his 250th Premiership game after his landmark appearance on Monday between London Irish & Bath was originally scheduled. cancelled due to Covid-19 cases among the Bath squad.
Pat Lam, director of rugby in Bristol, spoke to BBC Radio Bristol
“There are some quality players in that Sale team. They had a great win against Wasps.
It’s all about how they perform in the last two to three games, rather than the entire season.
“It is a long season. Teams fluctuate and change in form. But at the moment, they are in good form.
“It’s all about how we perform, and if that is right, the win will come naturally.” A team that is more determined will be stronger.
Alex Sanderson, sale director of rugby, spoke to BBC Radio Manchester
“You need to be aware that Bristol is in danger. You can’t kick them off, throw away sloppy ball, or switch off more than five metres from their line, and they will burn you.
“We want to take them to a fight. That’s exactly what happened at my place. At half-time, it was 0-0 before we turned them in.
“The more times we can turn it into a physical fight and a proper fight the better it will be for us.”
Bristol:Morahan, Lloyd, Radradra and Purdy; Sheedy. Randall, Lahiff, Thacker. Sinckler. Joyce (capt), Hawkins. Vui. Harding.
Replacements: Capon, Woolmore, Afoa, Holmes, Heenan, Uren, O’Conor, Bates.
Sale: L James; McGuigan, R du Preez, Van Rensburg, Yarde; MacGinty, Cliff; Rodd, Ashman, Schonert, J-L du Preez, De Jager, Ross (capt), T Curry, D du Preez.
Replacements: Taylor, McIntyre, Oosthuizen, J-P du Preez, B Curry, Warr, S James, Hammersley.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU).