Sale will have extra bite in their attack as they re-join the Kings of the North tournament this evening, with new signing Nev Edwards announced in the starting line-up.
Winger Edwards signed on at the AJ Bell Stadium on a one-year contract after he impressed in the opening games of the inaugural contest.
The 27-year-old winger has formerly played for Rosslyn Park, Bedford and London Irish and rejected interest from two other Premiership clubs to pen a deal with the Sharks this week.
Director of Rugby Steve Diamond said: “Nev has spent the summer with us and has worked hard during our pre-season build up.
“Due to an injury to Tom Brady and the unavailability of Phil MacKenzie I gave Nev a start at Newcastle in the Kings of the North competition and he scored an outstanding try.
“He also showed his pace in the home game against Leicester Tigers. He is a determined young man and will be pushing for a place in the team.”
The winger is hoping to fulfil his potential by starring for the Sharks this season.
He said: “I am delighted to have signed a deal with the club. I spent time in the Academy at London Irish and maybe it wasn’t my time.
“So, I am grateful to Steve Diamond for giving me this opportunity and am fully focussed on doing my best for the club.”
Steve Diamond has also confirmed that Danny Cipriani, back from his punditry duties at the World Cup, will play in tonight’s game against Newcastle Falcons.
He said: “Danny is back and will be ready to play. He’ll be involved straight away.
“I think the things new coach Paul Deacon has introduced has been instrumental to all the players, not just the half backs, he’s very good at coaching in the way to produce the results we want to achieve.
“We’ll hopefully put into practice the good work the lads have been doing on the training field. He (Deacon) has given the team confidence. His knowledge and understanding and his ability to communicate is excellent and that shines through in practice and in games.
“This game will continue getting the lads fit ahead of the Aviva Premiership opener against Saracens.
Sharks will hope to continue their impressive form in the Kings of the North tournament and follow up their impressive away victory to Falcons with another big performance at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Flanker Jonathan Mills has admitted he thinks that the next two games for the Sharks will be sterner tests: “It was nice to have won those first two Kings of the North games, but I think we are under no illusion that these next two games will be much harder.
“Leicester & Newcastle used more of their younger boys in those two games and I expect them to ramp it up heading into less than two weeks until the start of the Aviva Premiership.
“I’m sure these will be more like first team squads which will be facing off against each other but we will see where we are after that,” he said.
Image courtesy of Sale Sharks via YouTube, with thanks.
