Sale swoop for Vernon

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of Scotland international back-row forward Richie Vernon.

Vernon, who went on as a replacement during Sunday's 22-16 Calcutta Cup defeat against England at Twickenham, has agreed a two-year deal and will join Sale from Glasgow this summer.

The 23-year-old has been capped at all age-group levels, through to the senior side. He has won 10 caps.

Vernon becomes Sale's seventh signing for next term, following Munster prop Tony Buckley, Samoan international fly-half Tasesa Lavea, Wasps hooker Joe Ward, Northampton number eight Mark Easter, Leeds Carnegie flanker Kearnan Myall and Toulon forward Kris Chesney.

"I am delighted that Richie is joining us," said Steve Diamond, Sale's executive director of sport.

"He is part of the current Scotland squad and played very well when he went on in the Calcutta Cup game at the weekend.

"He is a hard-working flanker or number eight and he will fit in very well with my plans for next season and beyond."

Vernon added: "Steve Diamond is very clear on the way forward for Sale Sharks, and I am delighted to commit myself to the club for the next two seasons.

"Having broken into the Scotland side, I see playing in the Aviva Premiership as a challenge that will only improve me as a player."