Wade One Try Shy of Ashton's PREM Record as Newcastle Name Side for Sale Derby

Christian Wade is one try away from Gallagher PREM immortality after Newcastle Red Bulls named him on the right wing for Friday night's Derby Weekend showdown with Sale Sharks at Kingston Park. The former England international sits on 100 league tries, one behind Chris Ashton's all-time record of 101. Wade has already crossed once for Newcastle this season, and head coach Dan McFarland is backing him to keep the record in sight. "We all hope he gets it, firstly because he's a great person and we want him to have that accolade, and secondly because if he is scoring tries on a regular basis then we must be doing something right as a team," McFarland said. "Wadey brings a wider experience to our group than somebody who has just had a career in rugby, and I think that's really valuable." Newcastle also handed former Exeter Chiefs centre Will Rigg his first Gallagher PREM start for the club after he recovered from the injury suffered in last month's PREM Rugby Cup win over Leicester. Full-back Josh Hodge makes his first league appearance of the season following a broken hand, while Argentina prop Francisco Moreno could debut from the bench. Newcastle are still chasing their first league win of the campaign, but McFarland sees the northern derby as a chance to lay down a marker. "It's a big fixture, it's Gallagher PREM Derby Weekend and this is a battle for the north," he said. "Sale over the last number of years have deservedly had primacy... but we're also very proud of what we're about." Kick-off is Friday at 7.45pm.