Excitement is building ahead of the meeting between the North West's two top clubs in league ranking when Sale Sharks visit the Woodlands on Saturday, 11th August (ko 15.00). The Club is expecting a big crowd for what was last August an excellent display of attractive, running rugby.

The Sharks, now the North's sole representative in the Premiership, will be fielding a mixed squad of highly promising Jets youngsters and a number with 1st team experience. The squad will include England Saxons international lock (& former Sharks skipper) James Gaskell, Cillian Willis, Aston Croall, Will Cliff, Tom Brady, Johnny Leota & Nick Mcleod. Also featuring against his own club (and brother Sam!) will be Josh Beaumont who has signed a recent contract with the Sharks yet will be dual registered and able to play for Fylde in National One. It will prove a very challenging occasion for Fylde's developing squad.

15.Mike Haley, 14.Tom Brady, 13.Charlie Ingall, 12.Johnny Leota, 11.Charlie Amesbury, 10.Jordan Davies, 9.Will Cliff, 1.Aston Croall, 2.Tommy Taylor, 3.Ross Harrison, 4.Tom Holmes (capt), 5.Josh Beaumont, 6.Will Bordill, 7.Billy Emerson, 8.James Doyle.

Replacements Will Hafu, Tom Cruse, James Flynn, Vadim Cobilas, James Gaskell, Danny Kennedy, Cillian Willis, Nick Macleod, Will Addison.

Fylde are fielding a number of the newcomers to the Woodlands for the 2012-13 National One league season so it will be an excellent chance to judge the quality of the 1st team squad ahead of another very demanding N1 campaign.

Mark Nelson said: "This is the second season that we have started our campaign with an August game against Premiership and Heineken Cup side Sale Sharks. This is a real test for our squad and we are looking forward to the challenge that we will face against a team playing at the top level. It will be a first outing for our new signings Chris Johnson, Scott Barrow, Ben Vernon, Dan Birchall, Rob Taylor and Roger Banks. It will also be a great opportunity for some trialists and younger players to have a run and show what they can do against top opposition."

Fylde's extended 32-man squad for the game sees winger Ben Rath making his first starting appearance for the 1st XV. As well as Roger Banks, another 'returner' is Namibian World Cup scrum-half Ryan de la Harpe, who will have a run out from the replacements bench. He played a few games for the Fylde 2nd team a couple of seasons ago and most recently was with Championship side Moseley.

Missing on Saturday are Northern Ireland flankers Evan Stewart & Steve McGinnis who are both still recovering from summer surgery. Centre Chris Briers, hooker Jonny Roddam & back Warren Spragg are unavailable and prop Tom Lavelle is carrying a knock.

15 Olly Viney; 14 Ben Rath, 13 Stephen Briers, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Oli Brennand; 10 Chris Johnson, 9 Martin Wallwork; 1 Dan Birchall, 2 Alex Loney, 3 Peter Altham, 4 Paul Arnold, 5 Roger Banks, 6 Rob Taylor, 7 Ben Vernon, 8 Sam Beaumont.

Replacements: Forwards - 16 Alistair Livesey, 17 Jake Nickson, 18 Max Ashcroft, 19 Tom McGuinness, 20 Adam Jackson, 21 Danny Maher, 22 Jack Stockdale, 23 Charlie Cook, 24 Luca Angelone, 25 Oli Trippier.

Backs - 26 Ryan de la Harpe, 27 Richard Kenyon, 28 Tom Halsall, 29 Mike Simmons, 30 Charles Hough, 31 Curtis Strong, 32 Ralph Dowds

Nelson added: "It is a superb chance for rugby fans to see top players in action and get their first taste of the new season down at the Woodlands."

The Woodlands will be in a fine state, with a full range of catering services available in the Bill Beaumont Bar & Malcolm Phillips Lounge. Additionally, there will be an outside bar and BBQ.

Admission will be £5 per adult, £3 for concessions and free for U'16s if accompanied by a paying adult. Come along and get a sampler of the

NB Please note that there will be restricted parking at the ground due to a wedding in the Woodlands Suite that day.