Sale sign Wales star Powell

Wales international Andy Powell has signed a two-year deal with Sale Sharks.

Powell has joined the north-west club after leaving fellow Aviva Premiership side Wasps by mutual consent last week.

Powell’s departure from the London club came after he was involved in a bar-room incident last month, which left him needing stitches to a head wound.

Powell has courted controversy in recent times after he was also involved in an incident with a golf buggy last year which landed him with a 15-month driving ban and an immediate exit from the Wales squad.

Despite that Sharks’ executive director of sport Steve Diamond welcomed the signing of the 29-year-old, who has been capped 17 by his country and toured South Africa with the British & Irish Lions two years ago.

“This is a huge signing for us,” he said in a statement on Sale’s website.

“Andy has tremendous experience, is one of the best ball carrying forwards in World Rugby and is one of the final pieces in the jigsaw as far as our recruitment goes for next term.”