SALE Sharks will bank on the return of three `big beasts' to revive their fortunes when they tackle reigning champions Wasps on Sunday.

Reeling from a wretched run of form, which has seen them tumble from top spot in the Premiership to mid-table mediocrity, director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre has opted to ring the changes from the side which slumped to defeat against Worcester last week.

And Sale's hopes of arresting their slide in fortunes may fall heavily on the key trio.

Kiwi superstar Luke McAlister, who missed the defeat to Worcester makes a welcome return in the centre.

Meanwhile, former captain Jason White returns from Scottish Test duty to make his first league start of the season in the second row and Eifion `The Fridge' Roberts beefs up the front row after winning his first cap for Wales.

Elsewhere, David Tait is rewarded for some fine recent displays in the EDF Trophy with a starting position at flanker alongside Neil Briggs who switches to the back row from hooker.

And though summer signing Mathew Tait has overcome a hamstring worry and has once again been released from England duty, he only make the substitutes bench. Instead, Nick Macleod will start at full-back.

Fortunes

Having lost six of their last seven matches, Saint-Andre needs no reminding how crucial it is that his mis-firing Sharks, who are still missing half a dozen key internationals this weekend, stop the rot.

"This is a big game for both clubs. We are both missing several players however, we have received a boost this week with Jason, Eifion and Mathew returning," said Saint-Andre.

"Everyone at the club is very disappointed with our current form and the way that we lost to Worcester Warriors last Friday night.

"But we are keen to draw a line under it and get our season back on track as soon as possible."

While Sale's fortunes have gone into free-fall in recent weeks, Wasps have been nose-diving ever since the new campaign began.

They have managed just one win in six league outings to lie second bottom and have been even harder hit than Sale by the autumn internationals.

Indeed, Sale's biggest threat tomorrow could be the notorious High Wycombe `micro-climate'.

The Sharks haven't forgotten how last season's scheduled league clash at Adams Park was dramatically postponed five minutes before kick-off after what Wasps officials termed `a sudden freeze.'

And with snow forecast tomorrow, Saint-Andre and his men may need extra shovels to dig themselves out of the hole they currently find themselves in - both on and off the pitch.

Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan has made six changes to his team with Lachlan Mitchell starting at full-back and Mark Van Gisbergen joining Josh Lewsey in the centre.

Chris Bishay makes his first appearance of the season on the wing, with Joe Simpson and Dave Walder form a new half-back partnership.

Tom French comes into the front row in place of Tim Payne, who has been called up by England for their Twickenham clash, and Raphael Ibanez starts at hooker. Dan Leo replaces John Hart at blindside.

SALE: Nick Macleod, Mark Cueto, Luke McAlister, Chris Bell, David Doherty, Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth, Eifion Roberts, Marc Jones, Stuart Turner, Dean Schofield, Jason White, David Tait, Neil Briggs, Carl Fearns

Replacements David Ward, Rob O'Donnell, Brent Cockbain, Luke Abrahams, Chris Leck, Mathew Tait, Andy Tuilagi

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