Sale complete Ioane signing

Sale have bolstered their back row options by signing Samoa international TJ Ioane.

The former Otago and Highlanders man, who came off the bench to face England at Twickenham in November, mostly operates at blind side but can also play at number eight.

Ioane joins Sale with immed iate effect, having agreed a deal until the end of the current Aviva Premiership campaign, and has already trained with the squad.

Sale boss Steve Diamond told the club's website: "TJ is a great signing for us and I am sure that he will become a very valuable member of our squad and be very popular with our fans."

Ioane, who touched down in Manchester on Monday, is eager to prove himself in England.

"I'm looking forward to getting an opportunity to play for Sale," he said.

"I'll have to quickly learn the calls and team pattern first with the season being halfway through and then hopefully I can be included in the matchday 23 squad.

"Hopefully, Sale will see that I tackle hard and run hard and that I can bring some enthusiasm and aggression to the forwards and the defence."

The 25-year-old's new club face reigning champions Northampton Saints on Saturday at the AJ Bell Stadium.