LIKE Napoleon, former French skipper Philippe Saint-Andre never knows when he is beaten.

The Sale rugby general has taken his troops to the pinnacle of the English game and now just like the multi-talented French emperor, he plans to conquer Europe.

It doesn't matter that half his troops have been stretchered from the international battle grounds - he has a plan.

It starts tomorrow - and all his team has to do, is beat probably the best team in Europe.

Paris is waiting. Stade Francais at the Parc des Princes in the Heineken Cup is the objective.

"It is a massive challenge for us," he said without flinching.

"It is a big game, and will be a great experience for my players.

"They are the top team in France at the moment and one of the best in Europe.

"We must be clinical and not make mistakes, because they are a team which will punish us at every opportunity.

"This is a massive game for both sides."

Team selection has proved difficult for Saint-Andre after a raft of injuries seriously depleted the English champions.

Champions

Charlie Hodgson, Andrew Sheridan and Jason White have all been ruled out long-term, and this week saw second row Chris Day join the ever growing queue for the treatment table after damaging his knee against Llanelli at the weekend.

The good news for Sharks is that Lionel Faure, who broke his leg earlier in the season against Newcastle in the EDF Energy clash at Edgeley Park is fit again, and takes his place on the bench.

Summer signing from Cardiff, Lee Thomas has impressed in recent matches and has been rewarded with a place in the starting XV where he will partner Chris Mayor in the centre.

Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe starts in the second row alongside Chris Jones, with younger brother Juan Martin playing in the back row with Magnus Lund and Sebastien Chabal, who will relish the opportunity of playing at the Parc des Princes against so many of his fellow countrymen. The Saint remains inspirational: "We qualified for the EDF Energy semi-finals last weekend and the mood amongst the players is good.

'Trained well'

"Our international players have returned and we have trained well together over the last two weeks.

"Lionel Faure is fit again having recovered from his broken leg and will hopefully play some part in the game."

Sale's secret weapon remains Jason Robinson who is experiencing such a surge of good form that he is contemplating making himself available for England again.

"I am really looking forward to the game," he said.

"It was nice to get a win last weekend, but we need to take it up a couple of gears if we want to get anything out there.

"They are sitting at the top in France at the moment and have a lot of quality players.

"They don't really have any weaknesses, and we know it's going to be tough.

"But this is what professional rugby is all about."

Stade have switched their game from their home ground of Stade Jean-Bouin to the former home of French international rugby to accommodate the thousands of fans clammering for tickets to see the leading team in France take on the defending English champions.

Their Stade Jean-Bouin home holds just 12,000 and they have already sold three times that amount. Bring it on!

TEAM: Robinson (c), Cueto, Mayor, Thomas, Foden, Larrechea, Wigglesworth, Roberts, Bruno, Turner, Jones, I Lobbe, JM Lobbe, Lund, Chabal. Reps from: Faure, Titterrell, Stewart, Schofield, Bonner Evans, Martens, Ripol.