By markc on 7/11/2003
November 10 2003

Tykes travel to Edgeley Park, Stockport in a re-arranged fixture on Saturday to take on the Sale Sharks in front of Sky TV. To say that Sale have struggled at their new home is an understatement, they have yet to win a competitive fixture there!

A more than interesting match is on the cards for a variety of reasons. Sharks are performing better, their unlucky fly-half Charlie Hodgson, a more than able understudy to Jonny Wilkinson, is now back to full fitness after a long-standing injury. Their forwards are beginning to gel. Oh Yes, I nearly forgot, they also have a points machine in Braam van Straaten who was nearly deified in the West Riding last year and is still fondly regarded by many at Headingley.

BVS was criticised by the Sharks fans at the start of the season, but his scoring ability has kept them within shouting distance of their opponents in several fixtures to date. In fact the free-flowing rugby witnessed by the Cheshire fans seems to have transplanted itself in Leeds in return for the former Springboks journey the other way!

As for the Tykes, there are a lot of questions to be answered after Friday's inept display at home to Harlequins. Coach Phil Davies must have had a lot on his mind this week ahead of his team selection. Does Aaron Persico start? Is the diminutive wing-wizard Diego Albanese back in Leeds and ready to play? Will the seemingly out-of-sorts Dan Scarbrough be dropped despite still being the leading try-scorer? Is Rob Rawlinson fit to take his place in the front-row union? Can the first choice centre pairing of Botham and Christophers be put back together, and will they prove a point against the signing of Snyman? So many questions...

If Leeds forwards can play to their strengths, this is a game that we can and must win. Provided that the Tykes can scrummage well and give some quick service to the backs, the class of '03 could blossom and where better to gain their first away win than in front of the cameras to avenge last season's defeat.

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