Sale Sharks director of rugby Philippe Saint Andre has challenged his players to wipe out the memory of final day defeat last season when they play their first game of the 2008/9 at Edgeley Park on Friday.

The Sharks needed just one point from their final game of last season to secure a place in the semi-finals but went down to London Irish without a bonus point and lost out on the chance to reclaim the Premiership trophy they had won in 2006.

They face Saracens in the second round of the season and welcome back Rory Lamont, Sebastien Bruno and Andrew Sheridan, who all return the starting fifteen after missing out on last weeks win at Newcastle Falcons.

Lamont lines up on the right wing in place of Mark Cueto, Bruno is named as hooker in place of Neil Briggs and Sheridan takes the place of Lionel Faure. Cueto, Briggs and Faure are named among the replacements. Richard Wigglesworth starts at scrum half, and Brent Cockbain starts at Lock, with Dwayne Peel and Dean Schofield on the bench.

Saint Andre said, “We started well with a victory at Newcastle but tomorrow evening’s game against Saracens will be very tough. I have a lot of respect for Eddie Jones who not only coached Australia but did a great job with South Africa in last year’s World Cup.

“We want to return to winning ways at Edgeley Park after the London Irish defeat in May. We have a very talented squad here at the club and yet again I have had to leave players out of the Matchday 22. All my players know they need to be at the top of their game to keep their place in the team.”

Sale Sharks: Mathew Tait, Rory Lamont, Luke McAlister, Lee Thomas, David Doherty, Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth, Andrew Sheridan, Sebastien Bruno, Eifion Roberts, Chris Jones, Brent Cockbain, Luke Abraham, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Sebastien Chabal

Replacements: Neil Briggs, Lionel Faure, Dean Schofield, Sean Cox, Dwayne Peel, Mark Cueto, Chris Bell