SALE continue their quest for a record-breaking third European Challenge Cup triumph as they take on Bath in the final four on Saturday.
But the Edgeley Park side have suffered a major blow ahead of their trip to the Rec with the news that four key players will miss out.
Captain Jason White, Sebastien Chabal and Magnus Lund have failed to recover from injuries, leaving back row resources seriously depleted, while Mark Cueto also misses out.
Sebastien Chabal, Jason White, Magnus Lund and Mark Cueto have all been ruled out with injury.
Lee Thomas is also unavailable pending an appeal on the suspension he was handed this week after being found guilty of striking Bath's Shaun Berne in the most recent meeting between the two sides.
The good news, however, is that Kiwi star Luke McAlister is back to full fitness and replaces Thomas at inside centre.
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Chris Mayor gets a rare start on the wing in Cueto's absence, while Sharks will field an unfamiliar back row of Sean Cox, Chris Jones and Juan Fernandez Lobbe.
Sale have got the better of the meetings between the teams this season, winning two of the three clashes.
Bath came out on top in their game at the Rec earlier in the season, thanks to a late penalty from Shaun Berne and a couple of last-gasp drop goal misses by Charlie Hodgson.
But Sharks got revenge with a 25-10 win at Edgeley Park in the EDF Cup and they also won the most recent meeting, defeating Bath 22-6 in the Premiership.
SALE: Ben Foden; Chris Mayor, Chris Bell, Luke McAlister, Oriol Ripol; Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth; Andrew Sheridan, Sebastien Bruno, Stuart Turner; Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe (capt), Dean Schofield; Sean Cox, Chris Jones, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.
Replacements: Neil Briggs, Eifion Roberts, Lionel Faure, Brent Cockbain, Michael Hills, Will Cliff, Julien Laharrague.
BATH: Nick Abendanon; Andrew Higgins, Alex Crockett, Olly Barkley, Matt Banahan; Butch James, Michael Claassens; David Barnes, Lee Mears, Matt Stevens; Steve Borthwick (capt), Danny Grewcock; Jonny Faamatuainu, Michael Lipman, Chris Goodman.
Replacements: Pieter Dixon, Duncan Bell, Peter Short, Zak Feaunati, Mike Baxter, Shaun Berne, Tom Cheeseman.
Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre: "Semi-finals are always tough but having to travel to Bath makes it all the more difficult.
"They have been one of the most consistent sides in the Premiership this season and won six out of six in the group stages of this competition.
"We have some injuries but we have Luke McAlister and Sebastien Bruno fit again."
Bath skills and defence coach Brad Davis: "I think it will be a very close game.
"If you go through the playing roster, you will see that both teams are very competitive throughout.
"Sale have quality players from 1 to 15, as do we, and I think it is going to be a clash between two of the best sides left in this competition.
"We have identified particular players as an attacking threat.
"Hodgson has been outstanding all season for Sale, he really is their talisman and the one who keeps them ticking over.
"McAlister is probably much more of an individual threat and Foden has been outstanding from the back.
"However, at the same time, we have looked at the whole Sale team and they can pose dangers all over the park.
"We have to be aware and defend as a unit this weekend and stick to our principles. If we do that, I believe we will come out on the right side of the scoreboard."
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