Amlin Challenge Cup: Oyonnax v Sale match preview
Sale Sharks head coach Bryan Redpath is expecting a difficult evening when they travel to Oyonnax on Thursday.
Last Updated: 13/12/13 2:53pm
The Sharks sit top of Amlin Challenge Cup Pool 1 after wins over Biarritz and Worcester, while their opponents are bottom.
However, Oyonnax have lost just once on home turf this season and with wintry conditions expected at Stade Charles Mathon, Redpath admits his side must be mentally focused.
He said: "It would be huge to get another away win after beating Worcester away in the first match, so this becomes a vital game for us to push on further in the group.
"This is a big game, French teams are proud of their home performances and results, so it will be difficult irrelevant of what side they choose, but is a big chance for us.
"There are rumours it will be about minus five so it is going to be pretty chilly and it is an evening kick-off.
"So maybe if it is bad conditions they may move it to the afternoon in case there is any frost about.
"But you just have to get on with it, it's not too bad, I am Scottish so I am used to the cold. But it will be a tough environment for us so we have to be very focused mentally."
Danny Cipriani and Dwayne Peel sit out the trip for the Sharks, with Nick MacLeod and Will Cliff handed half-back responsibilities.
Oyonnaz: Tian, Bousquet, Bousses, Paea, Koroivoutu, Urdapilleta, Figuerola; Iapteff, Clark, Du Preez, Nemecek (c), Lagrange, Diaby, Newlands, Andre.
Replacements: Jenneker, Rapant, Baiocco, Slade, Vuillemin, Hansell-Pune, Traini, Browne.
Sale: Miller, Brady, Jennings, Leota, Mackenzie, MacLeod, Cliff, Harrison, Taylor, Cobilas, Ostrikov, Paterson, Braid (c), Seymour, Gaskell.
Replacements: Jones, Flynn, Buckley, Mills, Easter, Ford, Forsyth, Haley.
