Craig replaces Day as Saints head to Sale

James Craig will look to rule the skies for Saints at Sale (picture: Sharon Lucey)

James Craig replaces Christian Day in Saints' only change for the clash with Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium on Friday night (kick-off 8.15pm).

Day was forced off in the 58th minute of last Saturday’s win against Worcester Warriors, with Api Ratuniyarawa coming on to replace him.

But Ratuniyarawa remains on the bench this week, with Craig coming straight in to the second row.

The rest of the squad remains unchanged with Saints still without England stars Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Tom Wood due to Six Nations duty.

Louis Picamoles and George North are also away, with France and Wales respectively.

Saints will be bidding to win at Sale in the league for the first time since November, 2012.

The Sharks are without skipper Will Addison, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot injury.

Addison is replaced in the midfield by Johnny Leota, with No.8 Josh Beaumont taking over the captaincy.

The two other changes to the team that lost at Saracens last weekend come in the pack, with Jonathan Mills and Cameron Neild replacing George Nott and TJ Ioane respectively.

Sale Sharks: Haley; Solomona, Leota, Jennings, Charnley; James, Phillips; Harrison, Webber, Aulika; Evans, Mills; Neild, Lund, Beaumont (c).

Replacements: T Curry, Flynn, Longbottom, Nott, B Curry, Stringer, MacGinty, McGuigan.

Saints: Tuala; K Pisi, Tuitavake, Mallinder, Foden (c); Myler, Groom; A Waller, Haywood, Brookes; Paterson, Craig; Gibson, Clark, Harrison.

Replacements: Clare, E Waller, Hill, Ratuniyarawa, Dickinson, Dickson, Estelles, Wilson.