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Jon Doel

Cardiff v Sale Sharks team news as Wales stars back for emotional night

Cardiff welcome back a number of Wales internationals for Saturday night's European Challenge Cup knockout match against Sale Sharks (8pm kick-off).

It will be an emotional evening for all concerned following the sad death of former chairman and life president Peter Thomas.

A tribute will be held prior to kick-off, with a big crowd expected to honour the man who did so much for the club and Welsh rugby as a whole.

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Tomos Williams, Josh Adams and Mason Grady all start in the backline, with Taulupe Faletau at number eight. A strong bench contains the likes of Dillon Lewis, Rhys Carre and Thomas Young.

It will be the first time Cardiff have played since the passing of Thomas, whose death was announced on Wednesday.

A minute’s silence will be followed by a minute’s applause at Cardiff Arms Park and Dai Young says it will be an emotionally charged occasion.

Young said: “We are all devastated by the loss of Peter, who did so much for the club and touched the lives of so many of us privileged to be involved. He has been the driving force behind Cardiff and it is going to be an incredibly emotional occasion come Saturday.

“We are all determined to do Peter proud and we have an opportunity to do that on Saturday with many of his family in attendance.

“He loved these big European occasions and Saturday night is no different against a top class Sale Sharks side, who are going really well in the English Premiership.

“They’re a team full of size, power and physicality up front and we to have to match them on the gainline. We need to create our own tempo and our own intensity because a slow game will suit Sale far more than us.

“A busy Arms Park is a fantastic place to play rugby and obviously the players really appreciate that support. We’re hoping for another big crowd to get right behind us and mark the occasion.”

For the visitors, England stars Manu Tuilagi and Ben Curry return after international duty.

Cardiff: Rhys Priestland; Owen Lane, Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn, Josh Adams; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, Keiron Assiratti, Lopeti Timani, Teddy Williams, Josh Turnbull (capt.), James Botham, Taulupe Faletau

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Rhys Carré, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Thomas Young, James Ratti, Lloyd Williams, Ben Thomas

Sale Sharks: 15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Tom O’Flaherty, 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Nick Schonert, 4. Jean-Luc du Preez, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Jono Ross, 7. Ben Curry ©, 8. Dan du Preez.

Replacements: 16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Simon McIntyre, 18. Nick Schonert, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Sam Dugdale, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Sam James, 23. Arron Reed.

Read more:

Remembering JJ Williams, the Wales great turned fearless pundit, how he got his nickname and the anniversary just missed

Welsh region announce eight players have signed new deals and Springboks coach to join England

The 16 nailed-on players for Wales’ World Cup squad, the battle for other places and the one real problem position

Today's rugby news as Cardiff announce plans to honour Peter Thomas and outspoken Welsh winger refuses to be silenced

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