Sale Sharks have announced Mike Forshaw will be their new defence coach, as director of rugby Steve Diamond continues his rebuilding process for next season’s Aviva Premiership campaign.
Wigan-born Forshaw has worked for Connacht and Ireland for the last three years, helping the former into the Heineken Cup for the first time ever.
Diamond is thrilled to bolster Sale’s coaching ranks with the addition of Forshaw, who spent eight years playing rugby league for his boyhood club, Wigan Warriors.
“We are delighted that Mike has agreed to join us and he will be working with Bryan Redpath, Peter Anglesea and myself,” said Diamond.
“Mike has plenty of experience both as a player and as a coach.
“He is a winner and will help improve our defence which has been one of our main problems for the past six years.”
Forshaw played for Leeds Rhinos at the start of the Super League era, before starring in the formidable Bradford Bulls side of the late 1990s.
The man known as ‘the ultimate professional’ finished his playing career at Warrington, before teaming up with Brian Noble as Wigan’s strength and conditioning coach.
One of the players under Forshaw’s charges will be promising forward Henry Thomas – recently called up to the England squad to tour Argentina.
Thomas trained with the England squad as the 24th man during the Six Nations, and the young 21-year-old prop will be looking to make his mark on the international stage.
Picture courtesy of Gerard Barrau, via Wiki Commons, with thanks.
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