PREMIERSHIP leaders Sale will have their squad further depleted for the visit to Worcester on Saturday after Epi Taione was suspended for 18 weeks.

Taione was banned after pleading guilty before the Independent Disciplinary Committee to biting Munster's Denis Leamy on the right arm during the Heineken Cup meeting between the two sides in Limerick last month.

It means the centre won't be available to play for the Cheshire club for the rest of the season. Sale will already be without a number of key players because of their involvement in the Six Nations.

As well as England stars Andrew Sheridan, Mark Cueto and Charlie Hodgson, they are also set to be without Jason White (Scotalnd) and Sebastien Bruno (France).

But Worcester's director of rugby John Brain is still expecting a tough test from the Heineken Cup quarter-finalists.

He said: "They may have four or five players missing but they are still a very good side.

"If it is an international weekend, it is as good a time as any. But we played them on an international weekend last year and they still beat us."

Brain believes his side are heading in the right direction after two European wins and victory at Bristol last week. But he wants to get back on track at Sixways after Warriors tasted defeat in the last two Premiership games played on home soil.

He said: "First and foremost, we are looking to build on the last three performances and get back to winning ways at home.

"We showed some encouraging signs in the last three games.

"We know we are playing a team that is top of the league but all Premiership games are difficult."