Sheridan deal means Sale end week on a high

England prop Andrew Sheridan has ensured Sale RFU will have a good end to the week from hell. Sheridan, who turned down big money moves to France, has signed a contract extension with the Edgely Park club to keep him at the club past the 2011 Rugby world cup to the end of the 2012 season.

Sale’s week had begun in a distinctly different manner. The club were reeling from the news that star fly-half Charlie Hodgson will be leaving the club at the end of the season to join Saracens – A move in part motivated by a desire to be a part of the England Rugby World Cup team, but namely because of previous coach Mike Brewer.

The man whose reign at the club was described by Hodgson as “awkward” helped pushed the England international towards the door. Hodgson went on to heavily criticise his former coach and his time at the club – a move which put the club in the limelight for the wrong reasons.

The appointment of ex-Sale player Steve Diamond is thought to have been crucial to Sheridan’s decision to stay and the club will now look to build upon the imposing prop’s decision to stay by improving their league position.

Massive offers from French rugby giants were put to the loose-head prop but in the end the Diamond will be crucial to the club in his role of Director of sport as he looks to bring harmony to a club whose season has been constantly disrupted by off-field problems. Pete Anglesea, the man put in charge until the end of the season, will see Sheridan’s decision to stay at the club as vindication of the changes he has made after Brewer’s reign and look to build on the victory over Saracens and draw against relegation rivals Newcastle.

Along with Sheridan, Anglesea and Diamond will now look to build a team around Sale veteran Mark Cueto and return to the glory days that saw the club take the Premiership title in 2006. Without Hodgson the task has been made a lot harder, but the decision of Sheridan may prove to be crucial to the long term future of the club.