Fly-half George Ford joined Sale Sharks on a long-term contract ahead of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership just weeks after helping Leicester Tigers to the Premiership title. Oldham-born George began his professional career at Tigers, and in 2009 became the youngest rugby union player to make his professional debut in England, at just 16 years and 237 days. After winning a Premiership title with Tigers in 2013, he moved to Bath, winning the Gilbert Golden Boot as the top-points scorer and winning LV= Young Player of the Year, before returning to Leicester for the 2018-19 season. In total he made more than 80 appearances for the Tigers before making the switch the Sale Sharks and was the league’s leading points scorer in his final season with the club. He kicked 38 conversions and as many penalties while also slotting one drop goal to take his points tally to 193 and secure another Gilbert Golden Boot award. George made his England debut in 2014 and has since gone on to win more than 80 caps. He played a key role as Eddie Jones’s men reached the World Cup final in 2019. After announcing George’s signing, Sharks DoR Alex Sanderson described him as one of the world’s best fly-halves. He added: “He’s a northerner and his heart is very much in this area. He’s been away for some years now but he’s coming back to his spiritual home. It’s a massive boost for the club and it’s a big indication of what we’re all about and where we’re trying to get to.”

A genuine legend of the world game, Courtney Lawes joined Sharks on a one year deal ahead of the 2026/27 Gallagher PREM season.  The versatile forward, who can play at lock or in the back row, won 105 caps for his country during a 14-year international career that included four Rugby World Cups and five Lions caps across two tours.  On the domestic scene he played almost 300 times for his boyhood club, Northampton Saints, and captained them to their first Gallagher PREM title in ten years in 2024.  That 2024 PREM final, against Bath, would be his final game in green and gold before leaving for French side Brive.  After two years in the south of France he made the move back across the channel to join Sharks’ Northern Force and have one last crack at English rugby’s biggest prize.  On joining Sharks, Courtney said: “I’m really excited to be joining Sale. I’ve been out of the Prem now for a couple of years and I just want to finish my career playing at a the top level. I think Sale have got a brilliant squad so hopefully I can add to that and we’ll see what we can do next year.  “My body feels good and I’m still performing at a high level. I feel like I can compete with the best of them, and then some, and I think if I retired now, I’d probably regret it when I was older.  “As a rugby player, you’ve got a very finite career and you’re a long time retired so I want to make the most of it while I can, give it everything for another season and then we’ll see what happens.” 

World Cup winning Red Roses centre Tatyana Heard headed back to her native North when she agreed to join Sale Sharks Women ahead of the 2026/27 JAECOO Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) season.     Tatyana has won more than 30 caps and played in two World Cups since her England debut in 2018. She started at inside centre in the 2025 final as John Mitchell’s team became World Champions.   On the domestic front she first picked up a ball at Malton and Norton RUFC in Yorkshire at the age of 11.    She later represented West Park Leeds, Bristol, Pontyclun and Cardiff Met, winning the 2016 BUCS Final at Twickenham, before stepping into the senior game with Gloucester‑Hartpury.   She has played a key role as Gloucester-Hartpury have risen to the top of the women’s games, winning three consecutive PWR titles.   Speaking after signing, Tatyana said: “I’ve always wanted to come back to the North and it definitely feels like now is the right time for me. I’ve been at Gloucester my whole career in the PWR, so I’m really excited for something new and to come back up to the North.”