By apb
October 1 2004

So, its the annual "local derby" match at Headingley, where the boys from Manchester-Cheshire-Stockport-Sale come the short jounrey across the M62 to try to beat the mighty Leeds Tykes. And to be fair to them, in all but one of the six meetings, they've done just that... ....the notable exception being the 29-29 draw where, to the cries and screams of my young son (who had managed to jam his leg into one of the paddock seats with quite painful consequences), Braam van Straaten put over a crucial last-gasp penalty to steal a couple of points away from the red rose boys.

And this season there's been an excellent start for the Sale side. A 100% record in four matches and sitting proudly atop the Zurich Premiership, they have to be clear favourites to do it again.

But this is always an interesting fixture, and Leeds will be bouyed by the excellent win away at Saracens last week. It was particularly satisfying - in a friendly, banterish kind of way - to see exiting young find Tom Biggs touch down after foxing ex-Leeds star Dan Scarborough for the first try of the match. The Tykes will be full of confidence and looking to pressurize Sale on the back of this, in order to keep the momentum.

Where are the problems then?

A fit again Hanley and Cueto have to be of concern; two big, powerful wingers who have gas aplenty will be a stern test for the Tykes pair of Rees and Biggs, and the "bridesmaid" England fly-half and Old Brodleans most famous son, Charlie Hodgeson, is on fire at the moment (although not literally as the Sale site seems to imply!!). And of course, there's that other Yorkshireman that plays for them..... Jason somebody...?

The Sale pack have been pretty impressive too, and Messrs. Shelley, Regan and Kerr will need all their guile and finesse if they are to keep them quiet.

The Leeds side will be missing the captain and some would say talisman player Tom Palmer for this match due to the injured foot sustained last week, so Chris Murphy returns to the starting line-up to partner Stuart Hooper at lock. Also making a welcome return to the XV is Richard Parks, mobile, powerful and housewives favourite, with Alix Popham out injured. The bench too looks strong, with Pierre Uys and Duncan Hodge returning from injury, and Tim Stimpson once again wears 22; expect to see him pop up in the second half.

As far as the game itself is concerned then, the Leeds team will be pretty much full-strength, and the Sale side won't be too far off either. Sale are on top of the world, and Leeds are on an upward trend. I'm not foolish enough to predict the score; it will, as ever, be a fast, flowing affair that will maintain the excitement right up to the last minute. Be in no doubt however, that Sale have to be the favourites for the win, but Leeds have the players, the game plan and the fitness to pull off a surprise and to record their first Headingley win in 2004.

Its long overdue....


Teams:

Leeds Tykes:

15. Diego Albanese
14. David Rees
13. Chris Bell
12. Andre Snyman
11. Tom Biggs
10. Gordon Ross
9. Alan Dickens
1. Mike Shelley
2. Mark Regan
3. Gavin Kerr
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Chris Murphy
6. Jon Dunbar
7. Richard Parks
8. Colm Rigney
16. Michael Cusack
17. Rob Rawlinson
18. Scott Morgan
19. Pierre Uys
20. Mark McMillan
21. Duncan Hodge
22. Tim Stimpson

Sale Sharks:

15. Jason Robinson
14. Mark Cueto
13. Chris Rhys Jones
12. Robert Todd
11. Steve Hanley
10. Charlie Hodgson
9. Sililo Martens
1. Andrew Sheridan
2. Andy Titterrell
3. Barry Stewart
4. Chris Day
5. Jason White
6. Chris Jones
7. Magnus Lund
8. Sebastien Chabal

Replacements From Pierre Caillet, Dean Schofield, Peter Anglesea, Stuart Turner, Sebastien Bruno, James Moore, Bryan Redpath, Mike Hercus, Josh Taumalolo.