PREM Rugby set for return of two injured England internationals

The Sharks are currently seventh in the Prem with little left to play for. They hold a comfortable cushion in the Champions Cup qualification places but cannot finish any higher.

Their opponents, however, still have plenty at stake, with the chance to secure a home semi-final in the play-offs.

Leicester have taken 34 from a possible 35 points at Welford Road this season, so they will be determined to finish in the top two. They head into round 16 sitting just one point off that target.

Alex Sanderson will be boosted by the returns of scrum-half Quirke and back-rower Curry, both of whom are back after lengthy spells on the sidelines.

"Let's just say they are up for selection. It would be idiotic to not involve them in some way."

Curry has been recovering from the calf injury he suffered during the warm-up before England's Six Nations defeat in Italy.

"He comes back and he doesn't look like he's missed a step. He looks like he could have played last week and the week before, such is his movement and comms and all of that.

"That's the sure sign that the injury hasn't taken anything out of him, there's no lesser player, lesser person. He's raring to go and he's fresh, that's the main thing."

Their return could provide a significant lift for Sale heading into the final games of the campaign.

With little left to fight for in the league, building pride in performances and momentum ahead of next season will be important, especially with several new signings expected to strengthen the squad.

"I'd like to think so. Carps [Joe Carpenter] will be playing his second game back, it'll be Luke James' second game back, Raffi and Tom's first games back for a while. All these people that can bolster the squad in terms of experience.

"Not that we haven't learnt a lot from some of the lads who have been stepping up but when you're losing games by a score, which we have been, some of these guys can make the difference. Certainly three or four of them can."

Nathan Jibulu will also be available again after this weekend once he completes his six-week suspension for biting Harlequins prop Will Hobson.

Luke Cowan-Dickie remains sidelined through injury, although he could return for the final two matches of the season.

Sanderson also addressed speculation linking Cowan-Dickie with a move back to the West Country. He said he expects the hooker to remain at the club next season and revealed discussions are ongoing over a contract extension.