Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks bring up a century of meetings when they run out in Round 18 of the Gallagher Premiership season on Friday evening.
In 99 previous meetings between the clubs, Tigers have 67 wins, to 27 by Sale and five matches drawn.
Sharks have had the better of recent encounters, though, winning the last five, including a 25-15 triumph at Mattioli Woods Welford Road earlier this season. Click here to revisit the action from that match.
With just five rounds remaining in the league season, Sharks are in third place with 55 points, just three behind defending champions Exeter Chiefs in second place.
Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick has named Ben Youngs as captain for the trip to the North-West, with Johnny McPhillips, Dan Kelly and Zack Henry also included in the Tigers backline. There are starting places for Tomás Lavanini and Cyle Brink among the forwards.
Tigers are in eighth place in the table, in a group of clubs separated by just a handful of points.
Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson expects Tigers to provide a real test for his team in the opening action of a weekend during which all clubs will show support the RPA’s Restart charity activity dedicated to players’ mental health.
“This is the first return game we’ve had since I have been involved with these lads, so it will be a great marker for us, against a much-improved side under Steve Borthwick,” Sanderson said.
“We are under no illusions that, although we think we have improved and we want to show that and test ourselves and our progress, it’s going to be a real battle against a really good side.”
Chasing a place in the Premiership semi-finals for the first time since winning the league title in 2006, Sale recall Josh Beaumont as captain in the second row alongside Cobus Wiese, brother of Tigers back-rower Jasper.
Tigers will wear the club’s green, white and red colours at the AJ Bell Stadium in another fixture played behind closed doors.
Tom Foley is referee, assisted by Andrew Jackson and Jamie Leahy, with Claire Hodnett appointed as television match official.
There is live coverage on BT Sport 1HD or follow Matchday Live updates on the Tigers website and app, with posts on social media throughout the day and a full package of reaction after the final whistle.
