Sale Sharks sign former Welsh scrum-half Mike Phillips

Racing 92 and former Welsh scrum-half Mike Phillips will join Sale Sharks starting with next season after signing a deal with the Aviva Premiership club.

The 33-year-old is the most capped number nine for Wales having featured in 94 Tests before announcing his retirement from internationals in 2015.

Phillips joined his present club Racing 92 after having played for Bayonne, Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Scarlets previously.

Phillips is expected to play for the Paris team in upcoming week's European Champions Cup final and will later head on to England to join Sharks.

Steve Diamond, Director of rugby at Sale expressed his delight in having Phillips on-board. Diamond is hopeful of making use of Phillips' vast experience of playing at the top level.

"Mike will fit perfectly into our plans here at Sale Sharks,” said Diamond.

"He is a big, powerful and very skillful player and has plenty of experience playing at the top level of the game.

"Mike will be one of three former Racing 92 players at the club next season alongside Brian Mujati and Juandre Kruger."

Phillips also capped five times for the British and Irish Lions during tour of South Africa in 2009 and Australia in 2013.