Wood to skipper Saints at Sale

With Kahn Fotuali’i replacing club captain Lee Dickson at scrum-half, Wood will lead the team out at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Dylan Hartley also drops to the bench, with Mike Haywood coming in at hooker, while Michael Paterson replaces Christian Day, who is among the replacements.

Those are the only three changes from last Saturday’s 42-16 thrashing of Newcastle Falcons, with the likes of George North and Calum Clark still absent.

North continues to ease himself back into Franklin’s Gardens life after World Cup duty, while Clark has only recently returned to training following a shoulder injury.

Alex Corbisiero and long-term absentee James Wilson are also still missing.

When asked about North, Clark and Corbisiero at this week’s media session, Saints assistant coach Alan Dickens said: “In terms of George, he’s just resting up and then he’ll be ready to go.

“Calum has trained all week so he’s put his hand up for selection.

“Corbs isn’t quite there, but it’s good to have competition within the squad.”

Meanwhile, Sale have named former Saints favourite Brian Mujati on their bench for Sunday’s game.

Dan Braid captains the Sharks, with England man Danny Cipriani at fly-half as the Sharks bid to continue their good recent home record against Saints.

Sale: Haley; Arscott, Leota, Tuitupou, Addison; Cipriani, Cusiter; Harrison, Taylor, Cobilas; Evans, Mills; Braid (c), Ioane, Beaumont.

Replacements: Briggs, Flynn, Mujati, Ostrikov, Lund, Stringer, Macleod, James.

Saints: Foden; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, Elliott; Myler, Fotuali’i; A Waller, Haywood, Brookes; Lawes, Paterson; Gibson, Wood (c), Dickinson.

Replacements: Hartley, E Waller, Hill, Day, Fisher, Dickson, Hanrahan, Tuala.