September 9, 2005
ENGLAND pair Phil Vickery and Mike Tindall have been named as Gloucester’s captain and vice-captain for tomorrow’s Guinness Premiership clash against Sale Sharks.

Vickery made his first Premiership start since February in the opening weekend of action against Worcester last Sunday, while Tindall made his competitive debut following his switch from Bath.

But after Adam Balding sustained a triple fracture of his cheek against the Warriors, head coach Dean Ryan needed to find a replacement and he has opted for his Lions prop and England centre. 

“In the absence of Adam Balding we needed real clarify in our leadership and we believe Vickery and Mike Tindall can provide us with that,” Ryan said. “We have a number of excellent captaincy candidates but these two have proven records.” 

Vickery will lead a side that contains two changes from the one that drew 15-15 at Sixways. James Forrester replaces Balding at number eight, while Haydn Thomas comes in for Peter Richards at scrum-half. 

There is still no place for the injured James Simpson-Daniel because of an ankle injury. 

But Thomas has paid tribute to the ‘awesome’ contribution of coach Bryan Redpath as he prepares to make his first Kingsholm start tomorrow. 

The former Exeter scrum-half will come into the Gloucester side to face Sale Sharks and immediately praised the contribution Redpath has had on his development following his summer switch from the Chiefs. 

“Bryan has been brilliant, it’s as simple as that,” he told www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk “He has been awesome in the way he has worked on all parts of my game since I joined the club. 

“There is so much to the scrum-half role I have worked on – from my service to general skills – and Bryan has been a massive help. 

“I was always hoping I could make the step up and get a chance in the Premiership but I didn’t necessarily expect to get a start so soon,” he added. “I am sure I will be nervous but I have to try and control that. 

“I have no doubt this is one of the biggest challenges of my career but I am really looking forward to getting out there onto Kingsholm.” 

GLOUCESTER v Sale Sharks, tomorrow, Kingsholm, 3pm: Jon Goodridge; Mark Foster, Mike Tindall, Henry Paul, Rob Thirlby; Ludovic Mercier; Haydn Thomas, Patrice Collazo, Olivier Azam, Phil Vickery (capt), Adam Eustace, Alex Brown, Peter Buxton, Andy Hazell, James Forrester. Reps: Mefin Davies, Gary Powell, Mark Cornwell, Jake Boer, Peter Richards, Duncan McRae, Jack Adams.

PHILIPPE SAINT ANDRE has named his Sale Sharks team for tomorrow afternoon's GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP game against Gloucester at Kingsholm. Andy Titterrell will start at hooker with Sebastien Bruno moving to the bench, Dean Schofield will partner Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe at Lock with Chris Jones moving to Flanker to replace Magnus Lund who moves to the bench. In the halves, Valentin Courrent will start at scrum half in place of Richard Wigglesworth who moves to the bench.

Full Team:
Daniel Larrechea, Mark Cueto, Mark Taylor, Elvis Sevealai'I, Jason Robinson, Charlie Hodgson, Valentin Courrent, Andrew Sheridan, Andy Titterrell, Barry Stewart, Dean Schofield, Ignancio Fernandez Lobbe, Jason White, Chris Jones, Sebastien Chabal

Replacements: Sebastien Bruno,Stuart Turner, Lionel Faure, Chris Day, Magnus Lund, Richard Wigglesworth, Robert Todd.

Travelling Reserves: Ben Coutts, Peter Anglesea and Ben Foden

Steve Hanley drops out of the 22 as he injured his back in the Guinness A League fixture against Worcester.

Philippe said, " The first 20-30 minutes will be very physical, but its is always tough going to Kingsholm. We were not clinical enough against Newcastle Falcons last week and made too many mistakes. I watched Gloucester's game at Worcester and am sure Ludovic Mercier will busy with his tactical kicking tomorrow. They have also signed Mike Tindall who is a very good player."