Redpath to miss rest of the season

Sale Sharks scrum-half and former Scotland captain Bryan Redpath will miss the rest of this season due to a shoulder injury.

Redpath, who skippered Scotland during last year’s World Cup campaign, has been told that he requires surgery.

And in a second blow for the Sharks, lock Iain Fullarton faces a six week lay-off after breaking his hand.

“I feel so sorry for Bryan, who had committed himself fully to Sale Sharks after retiring from international rugby following the World Cup,” said Sharks coach Jim Mallinder.

“It is another injury we could well do without, but we are still in with a good chance of honours this season, and we will have to do our best without him.

“Hopefully, we will have Bryan back with us, fit and raring to go at the start of next season.”

Fullarton, meanwhile, saw a specialist yesterday and was told he had fractured his hand during the Heineken Cup clash against Biarritz last Sunday.

“It’s a big blow to us, as Iain was playing well. He will be out of action for up to six weeks,” added Mallinder.

Sharks, whose Heineken Cup campaign has ended at the pool stage, remain in Zurich Premiership play-off contention and have also reached the Powergen Cup quarter-finals.

But their campaign has been dogged by injuries to key players, including fly-half Charlie Hodgson, who is awaiting a specialist’s verdict on a knee problem sustained 11 days ago.