Former South African international Brian Mujati has signed for the Manchester-based Premiership rugby side on a two-year deal from Racing Metro and is set for a home debut this weekend against Leicester in the Kings of the North.

Budding young Sale Sharks talents Tommy Taylor, Mike Haley, Will Addison, Josh Beaumont and Ross Harrison must all devour opposing Premiership sides this season, says defence coach Mike Forshaw.

Rugby fans can kick off the World Cup in style by watching England’s opener against Fiji with Sale Sharks boss Steve Diamond at an Old Trafford charity event raising money for children with genetic disorders.

Stuart Lancaster’s decision to omit Sale Sharks fly-half Danny Cipriani from England’s 2015 Rugby World Cup squad could be a defining moment in his coaching career.

Sale Sharks could not have asked for a much tougher task after drawing one of the competition’s form teams in the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s Series final but captain James Mitchell is confident his side are up for the fight.

Danny Cipriani may have issued a timely reminder of his craft and versatility but World Cup winner Matt Dawson believes the Sale Sharks star’s England hopes may be dashed by the rise of Henry Slade.

James Mitchell says Sale Sharks will be in the zone when they head to Twickenham Stoop on Friday after sealing their spot in the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s final.

Blackley youngster Nathan Davis-Garbutt admits he is counting down the days until the 2015 Rugby World Cup kicks off after being surprised by Land Rover with the news that he is an official mascot.

Danny Cipriani can be the game-breaker at fly-half for England this World Cup according to former Sale Sharks team-mate and ex-Red Rose winger Mark Cueto.

Sale Sharks trio Josh Beaumont, Will Addison and Mike Haley cannot wait to start training alongside legendary Irish scrum-half Peter Stringer and former All Blacks lock Bryn Evans when players return from a lengthy post-season break at the end of June.

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.