Leeds Carnegie head coach Neil Back has made five changes to his side for tonight's Aviva Premiership clash with Sales Sharks at Edgeley Park.

The majority of the changes come in the front row. Steve Thompson returns from his try-scoring appearance off the bench with England last weekend. Either side of Thompson are Mike MacDonald and Phil Swainston, with Gareth Hardy and Juan Gomez starting on the bench.

There is only one change in the backs with Lee Blackett returning from injury to replace Scott Barrow, who has had a hernia operation this week. Henry Fa’afili reverts to centre to allow Blackett to return on the right wing.

The final change is the return of skipper Marco Wentzel from a hamstring injury suffered in the first half of the win over London Irish. He replaces Sean Hohneck.

Back-rower Rhys Oakley also returns from injury to fill a slot on the bench, in place of James Craig, while Christian Lewis-Pratt could make his first appearance in the Premiership since the game at London Irish back in October.

Leeds Carnegie: Michael Stephenson; Lee Blackett, Henry Faafili, Luther Burrell, Peter Wackett; Adrian Jarvis, Scott Mathie; Mike MacDonald, Steve Thompson, Phil Swainston, Daniel Browne, Marco Wentzel (captain), Kearnan Myall, Alfie Tooala, Hendre Fourie. Replacements: Scott Freer, Gareth Hardy, Juan Gomez, Rhys Oakley, Danny Paul, Warren Fury, Christian Lewis Pratt, Semi Tadulala.