Leicester Tigers scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth returns from a ban after a rule change saw games called off due to Covid-19 count towards suspensions.

Centre Sam James will make his 150th Sale appearance as Sharks seek a fourth successive league win over Leicester in Alex Sanderson's first game in charge.

Cobus Wiese faces older brother Jasper for the first time in their careers.

Scotland winger Byron McGuigan makes his first start for Sale since suffering a hamstring injury in August.

Wigglesworth is free to play for Leicester following his suspension after rugby's governing bodies ruled that Premiership matches called off because of Covid will now count as part of any player bans.

Under league rules, cancelled games are not re-arranged, with the points split between the clubs involved.

The Rugby Players' Association successfully argued that as those matches have in effect been "completed", they should also count towards a ban.

Wigglesworth was banned for four matches following his indiscretions with the Barbarians in October, but Leicester's Premiership matches against Newcastle in December and Northampton in January were both cancelled, as were the last two rounds of European action so he can face Sale.

Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick told the club website:

"The team need to deliver an 80-minute performance. What we want to do on Friday night is bring smiles to the faces of the Leicester Tigers supporters, who we wish were with us in the stands, cheering us on.

"They have got World Cup winners, have invested heavily in their team and have now appointed a new coach in Alex Sanderson. Whenever you play against Sale, the game is very, very competitive."

Director of rugby Alex Sanderson told the club website:

"Borths is getting Tigers back to where they used to be and they are becoming extremely difficult to beat. It's going to be a physical encounter.

"We need to make sure we match the overall intensity that Leicester have been showing over 80 minutes recently. They compete at every opportunity and we need to be prepared for that."

Leicester: Steward; Van Wyk, Moroni, Scott, Nadolo; Henry, Wigglesworth; de Bruin, Tom Youngs (c), Cole, Wells, Green, Liebenberg, Reffell, Wiese.

Replacements: Montoya, Leatigaga, Heyes, Lavanini, Martin, Brink, Poortvliet, McPhillips.

Sale: L James; McGuigan, S James, S Hill, Yarde; MacGinty, De Klerk; Rodd, Van Der Merwe, John, Wiese, JP Du Preez, Ross (c), Dugdale, Beaumont.

Replacements: Langdon, Harrison, Oosthuizen, Phillips, Neild, Cliff, R Du Preez, Roebuck.

Referee: Ian Tempest (RFU).