Sale Sharks groundstaff have had to work overtime due to the big freeze in England - but the good news for rugby fans is that the Sharks Heineken Cup game against Glasgow at Heywood Road on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm) is on.
The pitch has been covered since last Friday's Zurich Premiership game against Newcastle Falcons and is currently protected in a hot-air tent. A spokesman said: "The game is not in any danger and will go ahead."
Although the Sharks are no longer able to qualify for the knock-out stages of the competition they are determined to finish their campaign with a flourish.
Skipper Bryan Redpath said: "This is a huge game for us. We didn't perform well in Glasgow and they deserved to beat us. In fact, apart from at Llanelli, we haven't played well in this competition so it is time we let people know what we are capable of.
"Glasgow can still qualify so they will really be up for this one and we have to find the form that has so far eluded us in Europe this year. We won the Parker Pen Shield last season but this has been a step up for most of the lads, who were playing at this level for the first time."
Sharks have picked a strong side. All five tries against Newcastle were scored by the backs and the only change to that department is the recall of Mel Deane to centre in place of Dan Harris who was laid low with 'flu earlier this week.
Jim Thorp returns at loose-head prop in place of Kevin Yates and Scottish international Iain Fullarton comes into the second row with Chris Jones switching to the bench.
Richard Wilks, who had an excellent game in the last European outing at Llanelli, teams up with Alex Sanderson and Pete Anglesea in the back row.
