Sale swoop for Easter

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of number eight Mark Easter from their Aviva Premiership rivals Northampton.

Easter, 28, has agreed a two-year deal at Edgeley Park.

Sale executive rugby director Steve Diamond said: “This is another good signing for the club. I have watched Mark’s progress at Northampton and I am very impressed with him.

“He hasn’t had the starts he wanted at Franklin’s Gardens and was looking for a new start.

“He is an ambitious young man with a great work ethic, and he will fit in well when he joins us at the end of the season.”