Rory Lamont, French duo Sebastien Chabal and Lionel Faure along with Argentine skipper Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, who are all available again after Autumn international duty, are pitched straight into battle as Sale look to end a miserable run of four consecutive home defeats.
Director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre has named a powerful-looking team with England star Mathew Tait, deployed at outside centre alongside Luke McAlister, and Scottish star Lamont starting at full-back.
However Welsh international scrum-half Dwayne Peel, who is also available again after featuring in the last three Tests for the Principality, has to make do with a place on the replacements' bench, with Richard Wigglesworth starting at nine.
Having got back to winning ways last weekend with a vital 13-12 triumph at champions Wasps, Saint-Andre is anxious for his side to help sustain their climb back up the Guinness Premiership table.
But he knows it won't be easy against a Leicester side that has been revitalised under new South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer and who themselves welcome back Geordan Murphy, Seru Rabeni and Marcos Ayerza from Test duty.
"After last week's win at Wasps it is important we keep up the pressure on the top four clubs," stressed Saint-Andre.
Strong
"We welcome back several players this week but Leicester have a strong squad and showed this last week when they beat Harlequins.
"Games between Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers are always keenly contested and this will be no exception."
A largely inexperienced Sale side went down to a 30-20 defeat at Leicester last month in an EDF Energy Cup clash but the Sharks enjoyed a domestic league double over the Tigers last season.
But if they are to triumph this evening, head coach Kingsley Jones says it is vital the players reproduce the attitude and fighting spirit that helped them overcome Wasps last weekend.
"The bottom line in rugby is that about 80 per cent of it is about attitude and application. That will always give you a fighting chance and it's why sometimes the underdog wins," said Jones.
"I thought that the attitude down at Wasps was marvellous and it helped make up for our very poor performance against Worcester last time out at home.
"We were really pleased to get back to winning ways but its so important that our attitude and commitment is spot-on again tonight."
YOUNG scrum half Will Cliff was injured during Sale Jets' win against North Wales in Colwyn Bay on Wednesday. He suffered a severe facial injury and was detained in hospital. Academy Manager James Wade said: " Will is still in hospital and is receiving expert care."
SALE SHARKS: Lamont, Cueto, Tait, McAlister, Doherty, Hodgson, Wigglesworth, Faure, M Jones, Roberts, Chabal, Schofield, White, Briggs, JM Fernandez Lobbe,
Replacements: Turner, O'Donnell, Cockbain, Tait, Peel, Bell, Tuilagi
Carl Fearns and Rudi Keil are on stand-by.
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