Luke James returns from injury while first team regulars Nathan Jibulu, Sam Dugdale, Alex Wills and Marius Louw are also back in the Sharks XV after missing the defeat at Exeter as Alex Sanderson makes seven changes to his team to face Gallagher Prem champions and Prem Cup holders Bath on Sunday (KO 3pm).
Tom Burrow captains the side once again with Reuben Logan picked alongside him in the second row. Sharks Academy youngsters Dylan Hodkinson and Sebi Krippner will make their first team debuts if they come off the bench.
The Sharks DoR has made two changes to his front row, with only loosehead Tumy Onansanya remaining from the Sandy Park defeat. Hooker Jibulu and tighthead Tye Raymont, who made his Gallagher Prem debut against Bath last season, come in to join him.
Logan and Burrow team up in an all-academy second row while in the back row, Dugdale joins Tristan Woodman and Dan du Preez.
Dom Hanson and Tom Curtis get another chance to impress at half back and outside them, Louw and Joe Bedlow will combine in the centres.
Wills, Albert Bradshaw and the returning James make up an attacking back three.
Tadgh McElroy is the replacement hooker and he’s joined on the bench by academy props Ralph McEachran and Patreece Bell. Ethan Caine and former Anselmians Rugby Club man Hodkinson are the rest of the forwards on the bench.
Nye Thomas, Sam Bedlow and winger Krippner, who joined the club’s Senior Academy ahead of the 2024/25 season, make up the rest of the replacements.
Starting XV:
15. Luke James, 14. Albert Bradshaw, 13. Joe Bedlow, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Alex Wills, 10. Tom Curtis, 9. Dom Hanson; 1. Tumy Onasanya, 2. Nathan Jibulu, 3. Tye Raymont, 4. Reuben Logan, 5. Tom Burrow ©, 6. Sam Dugdale, 7. Tristan Woodman, 8. Dan du Preez.
Replacements:
16. Tadgh McElroy, 17. Ralph McEachran, 18. Patreece Bell, 19. Ethan Caine, 20. Dylan Hodkinson, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Sam Bedlow, 23. Sebi Krippner.
