Sale swoop for USA fly-half AJ MacGinty

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of United States international fly-half AJ MacGinty.

MacGinty, 26, will move to the Aviva Premiership from Guinness PRO12 title contenders Connacht.

He is set to take over the Sale number 10 shirt that will be vacated this summer by Danny Cipriani's return to his former club Wasps.

Dublin-born MacGinty attended Blackrock College before moving to the US on a visa. He started all three of their 2015 World Cup pool games and has so far scored 90 points in just eight Tests after making his international debut against Samoa last summer.

Since returning from the World Cup, MacGinty has helped Connacht maintain their current position as PRO12 league leaders.

" We were alerted to AJ during the World Cup, and we have been watching his performances at Connacht," Sale rugby director Steve Diamond told the club's official website.

"He is great in defence and has an 80 per cent success-rate kicking his points.

"I am sure that when he works with Paul Deacon (Sale's attack and skills coach) he will become the finished article.

"He will be a great addition to the squad, and we are looking forward to AJ joining us pre-season."

MacGinty said: " I am very excited to be joining Sale Sharks next season. They are a club with great ambitions, and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

"I have really enjoyed my time at Connacht and would like to thank all the coaches, players, fans and staff for their support. In particular, I would like to express my gratitude to Pat Lam (Connacht head coach), and I look forward to finishing the season as strong as possible."