An off-season trip home to New Zealand has ended with an England call-up for Sale Sharks forward Michael Paterson for their mid-week tour match against the Crusaders.
The 29-year-old had an outstanding first season for the Sharks after joining from Cardiff Blues last summer and qualifies for England thanks to his late grandfather.
Christchurch-born Paterson played for an England XV against the Barbarians at the start of the month and England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster has decided to add the former Hurricane as cover.
“We wanted some second row cover and with Michael having trained with us leading up to the Barbarians game and knowing our systems it made sense to call on him as he was in Christchurch visiting family,” he said.
“He trained well with us this morning and will be in contention for selection for what is an important match against the Crusaders.”
Paterson spent four years playing Super Rugby with the Crusaders and Hurricanes before joining Cardiff Blues in 2010.
Earlier this week Sale were handed a tough draw in Group 1 of European Champions Cup alongside three of this year’s semi-finalists Saracens, Munster and Clermont Auvergne.
Despite the challenging fixtures Sharks’ Director of Rugby Steve Diamond is looking forward to getting stuck in.
“This is a fantastic new competition and we are delighted to be part of it,” he said.
“We have been drawn against three of the best clubs in the competition and it will be a great experience for everyone connected to the club both on and off the field.”
Image courtesy of Sale Sharks via YouTube, with thanks.
