Schofield (30) will have alongside him in the second row James Gaskell, eleven years his junior, who will be playing in his eighth League game. Richard Wigglesworth starts at scrum half, following his midweek release from England training, and Chris Bell returns after a three-game absence, to face his former club.

Sale Sharks team: Nick Macleod; Ben Cohen, Chris Bell, Lee Thomas, Marika Vakacegu; Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth; Eifion Roberts, Marc Jones, Jack Forster, Dean Schofield (capt), James Gaskell, Kristian Ormsby, David Seymour, Sisaro Koyamaibole. Replacements Neil Briggs, Gavin Kerr, Rob O'Donnell, Sean Cox, Carl Fearns, Chris Leck, David Bishop, Ed Styles.
On standby: Martin Halsall, Oriol Ripol.

Sharks' Director of Rugby Kingsley Jones was unable to consider thirteen players, due to injury, illness or international duty. They were Sheridan, Schwalger, Abraham, C.Jones, Cockbain, J.Jones, Peel, M.Tait, Cueto, Tuilagi, Kennedy, Doherty and Kuadey.

Looking ahead to Sunday's game, Kingsley said, "Preparation has been very good. It's been a long week, everyone has worked hard and we have covered a lot. This will be a big game for both teams, and we have the utmost respect for Leeds Carnegie. We need to back up Guinness Premiership wins, and also achieve our first away victory of the season."