Rugby Union: Saint-Andr and His Martyrs Await Test of Character ; HEINEKEN CUP. Sale Left Depleted for Battle with Galacticos of Biarritz

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It may have been apt for Sale to spend the week harbouring a sense of injustice in a city named after a Christian martyr. But the insult of what they claim to be an unfair ban on their French No 8, Sbastien Chabal, added to the injury allegedly suffered by the loosehead prop Andrew Sheridan while away with England, will be of little use to them against Biarritz in San Sebastian this afternoon.

"We have won the European Shield twice," says Sale's coach, Philippe Saint-Andr, "but this is a huge challenge for us, playing the favourites for the competition. I'm looking forward to seeing how we react."

Sun, sea and sans Sbastien has made for an unusual preamble to the …