Jones wants Leeds's rivals Sale to retain their fear of relegation

Sale's 17-3 victory over fellow strugglers Worcester a week ago lifted them into 10th place, six points above the Warriors and three in front of Leeds Carnegie.

But Jones, who has named an unchanged team for the first time this term, knows defeat against Saracens could plunge them back into deep trouble, especially if Leeds and Worcester win their games tomorrow, away to Harlequns and at home to London Irish respectively.

"We need a reality check after last week's win," he said. "If Leeds and Worcester win at the weekend and we don't, then we will be back where we were a week ago. We need to keep our fear of relegation, but if we repeat the attitude and desire we showed against Worcester then we could enjoy the run-in to the end of the season.

"The result (against Worcester) eased things, but has not taken us out of it. There will be lots of twists and turns – people know how unpredictable the Premiership is.

"There will be a lot of results that will shock us as the weeks go by. We need to look at the other clubs not too far ahead of us and we need to be positive."

If Sale beat Saracens, they will climb above Newcastle, whose visit to Edgeley Park in a fortnight represents potentially another huge relegation encounter.

Sale's first task is to subdue a Saracens side who have scored 86 points and 10 tries in the last two games, reasserting themselves amid the title play-off picture.

"We must respect Saracens – they are a big, tough side and it will be a big challenge for us," added Jones.

"They have a good kicking game, but over the last couple of weeks they've broadened their game with a try-fest against Newcastle and a narrow defeat at Gloucester."

London Irish forward Chris Hala'Ufia has been cited for an alleged dangerous tackle on Wasps fly-half Dave Walder during last Sunday's Guinness Premiership game. The Exiles' No 8 was reported by independent citing commissioner Ken Pattinson.

Hala'Ufia has been summoned to to appear before a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel in London next Wednesday.