Leeds Carnegie v Sale Sharks: Leeds get ready to kick-start faltering campaign

The Yorkshire club head into the match four points adrift of second-bottom Newcastle after starting the new campaign with five straight defeats.

Failure to register their first league win tonight could see the gap increase as the Premiership fixtures develop over the weekend but head coach Back is refusing to read too much into the importance of one single game, insisting his side is improving sufficiently to climb away from the foot of the table whether they win tonight or not.

"It's not must-win, it would be great for us to win and if we repeat our last three performances I believe we will get the victory we need," said the World Cup winner.

"But there's 17 games still to play, we've got one point whereas last year we had two at this stage but I believe we have got a better squad, are playing better rugby and that we'll achieve our objectives this year.

"It is, though, a massive game for us."

Any Leeds victory tonight in front of the ESPN cameras will owe much to how they handle Charlie Hodgson.

The Halifax-born fly-half orchestrated a Sale comeback over Leeds in the corresponding fixture last season, and the importance of having a reliable goal-kicker and someone who can dictate the play with the boot was illustrated again last Sunday when Leeds dominated French giants Stade Francais but lost a decisive kicking game.

"It's really important how we handle Hodgson," said Back. "When we played Sale at home last season, we kept Hodgson quiet for 60 minutes and led 17-3. For the last 20 minutes, we kicked poorly to him and he controlled field position and possession and showed the quality player he is.

"What we need to do tonight is keep him out of the game for longer and, hopefully, that will enable us to get the win we need.

"At this level, you need someone to stick the ball between the posts. It ticks the scoreboard along nicely and the kicker and the players get confidence and belief from it.

"It also puts pressure on the opposition but keeps you sharp as a defensive unit and you have to back off in certain contact areas because you cannot afford to give away the penalties."

Leeds have emerged from the two-week break for the Amlin Challenge Cup with their first win of the season, albeit an expected victory against Bucuresti Oaks, and their best performance to date in the defeat to Stade.

Leeds' progress this season mirrors the way they began their first campaign back in the top flight last season, with no wins registered until a victory and a loss in the Challenge Cup that injected some much-needed belief into the squad.

They went on to push unbeaten leaders Saracens all the way in the first game back before winning at Wasps.

Wasps lie in wait next week in the second of back-to-back home games, and Back believes his side are progressing well despite their lowly position suggesting otherwise.

"The quality and the consistency was better throughout the 80 minutes against Stade and, hopefully, we'll take another step forward against Sale," he said.

"The Amlin Cup was great for us. It was a respite from the pressure of our main objective, to give players game time and play with more freedom. With the shackles off a bit, we expressed how we want to play the game."

He is hoping they can replicate that environment tonight as Leeds continue to strive for a positive blend of enterprising offense and robust defence.

"We have stepped up with each game and we need to do so again," said Back. "We need to play with more consistency and take our opportunities when they present themselves.

"The players have moved on and understood how we want to defend. We missed very few tackles against Stade and made lots of good ones, kept a good shape and were competitive.

"Attacking wise, we're creating lots of opportunities – we feel we're in a good place but we know we have to finish chances to get the vital win to kick-start our campaign."

Leeds centre James Tincknell has agreed a two-year contract with the club. Tincknell, 22, joined Leeds on trial from Wharfedale earlier this year, but has sufficiently impressed to secure a long-term deal.

Mathie back to tackle the Sharks

Leeds make four changes to their side that narrowly lost to Stade Francais for tonight's televised encounter (7.45pm).

Michael Stepehenson reverts to the wing in place of Semi Tadulala to allow Ceiron Thomas to start at full-back and Scott Mathie, who scored a crucial try in Leeds' win over Sale at the end of last season, returns at scrum-half.

Kearnan Myall comes in for Jon Pendlebury at blindside flanker and Daniel Browne will start at No 8 in place of Rhys Oakley.

Phil Swainston, Danny Paul and Scott Barrow are on the bench after recovering from injury.

Prop Henry Thomas, called up into the England Under-20 squad, is set for his Sale debut from the bench.

Sale are again without England centre Mathew Tait, whose troublesome knee is to be further assessed. Coach Mike Brewer said: "Against Stade, I was quite impressed how Leeds kept ball in hand, and made a couple of key breaks."