The Sharks effectively need one victory in their last three games to remove any lingering fear of relegation.

But they have an added incentive when Leicester arrive at Edgeley Park, which will be followed by Bath's visit to Stockport next Friday.

England World Cup-winner Robinson, a key part of Sharks' success for more than six years, will bow out of domestic rugby against Bath.

And Sharks rugby director Philippe Saint-Andre said: "With the news that Jason will be retiring from club rugby next week, the players are determined that we will win the next two games at home and give Jason the send-off he deserves."

Robinson lines up in a Sale side that includes his fellow England internationals Stuart Turner, Chris Jones and Magnus Lund, while Leicester head coach Pat Howard has rung the changes as Tigers face a punishing fixture schedule.

Leicester remain on course for an unprecedented trophy treble of Premiership title, Heineken Cup and EDF Energy Cup.

But it means they now have five matches in the next 23 days, starting against Sale, followed by an EDF Cup final appointment with the Ospreys, a Heineken Cup semi-final against Llanelli Scarlets, a rearranged midweek Premiership trip to Bristol and a home league encounter against Wasps.

Unsurprisingly, only two players remain on starting duty from the side that pipped French Championship leaders Stade Francais in a thrilling Welford Road semi-final last Sunday.

Wing Seru Rabeni and prop Marcos Ayerza are both retained, but Rabeni moves into midfield where he will partner Sam Vesty.

Elsewhere, it is all change, with lock Leo Cullen returning after a foot injury to captain the team, while Howard also hands opportunities to the likes of fly-half Ian Humphreys, hooker Gavin Hickie, flanker Luke Abraham and number eight Henry Tuilagi.

A Leicester victory would see them regain top spot in the Premiership above Gloucester and edge Tigers closer towards a home play-off tie.

Howard said: "I have not handed out the jerseys easily. All the guys have been performing or training well, and they have a personal incentive to perform.

"Luke Abraham, for instance, has probably been our outstanding trainer in the last month and I have told him that he deserves a shot in the team, while Tom Croft has been playing well and he set up a lovely try in the game against Bath a couple of weeks ago.

"These guys are showing they are good players and want their opportunity. I think I am respecting form."