Matthew Ferguson says the lack of Danny Cipriani from Sale Sharks’ team will be a boost for London Welsh when the sides clash at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow (1pm), writes SIMON WILLIAMS.

The influential fly half, who has scored 144 points for Sale so far this season, is on Six Nations duty with England, while full-back Luke McClean and prop Alberto de Marchi are with Italy.

However, Ferguson, Welsh’s assistant coach, said the Sharks – who are eighth in the Premiership table – would still be able to field a very strong side.

Sale include former Exiles winger Tom Arscott, who scored a hat-trick against his old club in September.

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Ferguson said: “Sale are an experienced, accomplished and well coached team.

“They are very physical and it was a real battle earlier in the season.”

It will be Rob Lewis’s 100th league appearance for Welsh.

The scrum half is in his second spell with the Exiles and was part of the last two Championship-winning sides.

Lewis said: “It is a great privilege and a great honour to be at the club for so long.

I am proud to have reached that milestone.”

Seb Stegmann returns on the right wing with Olly Barkley named at fly half.

Seb Jewell moves from inside centre to full back, with James Tincknell at No 12.

In the forwards, Koree Britton starts at hooker and Richard Thorpe moves from blindside to openside flanker, with Carl Kirwan returning.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

London Welsh: Jewell, Stegmann, Reynolds, Tincknell, Scott, Barkley, R Lewis, Trevett, Britton, Vea, West, Down, Thorpe, Kirwan (capt), Fonua. Reps: Morris, Aholelei, Gilding, Corker, Pienaar, Weepu, Robinson, J Lewis.

Sale: Haley, Addison, Leota, Tuitupou, Arscott, Macleod, Cusiter, Roberts, Taylor, Cobilas, Mills, Hines, Braid (capt), Seymour, Beaumont. Reps: Jones, Cobilas, Harrison, Lund, Easter, Cliff, Ford, Cueto.