SALE Sharks are preparing to welcome back a number of old boys when they take on Saracens in the European Rugby Champions Cup on Saturday.

One man coming back who will always be associated with the club is fly-half Charlie Hodgson.

He made his debut for the side against Auch in 2000 and went on to make 162 appearances for the side in 11 years, scoring 1,870 points.

The leading Premiership points scorer, he won three trophies while at Sale, the European Challenge Cup twice and famously the Premiership title back in 2005-06, where his performance was key to the success.

Another ex-Shark who will come up against his old team is scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth.

A graduate of the Sale Academy, he made his debut in 2002 and went on to play 113 times for the Sharks.

His battle against Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter is one to look forward to, as both players will be looking for quick ball and be aiming to keep the tempo up in what should be a frantic game.

It is not just on the playing front where there are ex-Sharks at Saracens. Saracens forwards coach Alex Sanderson was a Sharks flanker who played 90 times for Sale between 1998 and 2004.

The game, which kicks off at 1pm at the AJ Bell Stadium, will be the first time the two clubs have played each other in a European competition.

Saracens travel north having not won any of their last three games although they drew against Leicester Tigers while the Sharks have won their last three games, rising to sixth in the Aviva Premiership after nine rounds.

In Pool One of the Champions Cup, Saracens beat Clermont in round one and then lost at Munster.

Sharks have lost both their opening round games but pushed Munster all the way and lost with the last kick of the game.

Sharks flanker Magnus Lund leads the way in the competition with 37 tackles and his team-mate Johnny Leota is joint leader in the clean break stakes, including his sensational try against Munster in round one.

Saracens wingmen Chris Ashton and David Strettle have both scored two tries each in this season's competition.