Sale Sharks to sign Harlequins hooker Nathan Jibulu

Sale Sharks have agreed to sign Harlequins hooker Nathan Jibulu for next season.

The 22-year-old has played seven times for Quins in the Premiership this season and has been part of the England Under-20 and England A squads.

He has signed a ‘long-term’ deal with Sale and says he has always wanted to play for the Sharks.

He said: “When I was younger, whenever someone asked me, ‘what team would you want to play for?’ I’d always say Sale.

“I love how the team plays and the mentality around the club. I like the toughness and the attitude that we’re going to run over you physically, and it’s going to be relentless for 80 minutes.

“I love those games where you go toe-to-toe physically, so all of that attracted me straight away, and then speaking to people who are there already, they said all the stuff that I really like so it was a no brainer when the opportunity came about.”

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson said: “Nathan is a young lad but he’s incredibly mature and he’s got the game and the physical attributes to match.

“I’ve got no doubt he’ll play for England in the future and we’re really excited to bring him to the club.”