George North insists new teammate Michael Paterson, who after two seasons with the Sharks heads south to join up with 2014 champions and last year’s table-toppers Northampton Saints, will have no problem slotting in.

Injuries to Geoff Parling and Ed Slater mean that New Zealand born Paterson could be picked by Stuart Lancaster ahead of the Autumn internationals, with the squad announcement due later this week

Sale Sharks start their European Champions Cup campaign this Saturday when they welcome Irish powerhouse side Munster to the AJ Bell Stadium

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.

Diamond’s men flirted with relegation last season though a much-improved 2013-14 brought Sale a sixth-place finish and European rugby again in 2014-15

The former Auckland Blues player touched down in Manchester on a short term deal at the start of 2013 with the Sharks battling to avoid relegation from the Aviva Premiership.