SALE SHARKS CAPTAIN Will Addison will join Ulster at the end of this season in a bid to fulfil his ambition of playing international rugby for Ireland.
The 25-year-old, a product of the Sale academy, has strong Irish roots throughout his family and after discussions with the Premiership club, will leave for Belfast next year.
Addison, a former England U20 centre, has played over 100 games for Sale after making his senior debut in 2011, and was this season named as club captain.
While centre is his specialist position, Addison can also play fullback or wing and will provide Ulster with another place-kicking option having scored over 150 points for the Sharks.
Sale confirmed the news in a statement issued this afternoon, with director of rugby Steve Diamond wishing Addison all the best as he embarks on a new challenge in the Pro14.
“We all wish him well in his desire to play international rugby,” Diamond said.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Will. He has captained the side this season and the enthusiasm and desire he brings will be missed.”
Sale are also losing Irish-qualified fullback Mike Haley to Munster last season, with his three-year deal with the southern province announced last month.
Ulster, currently searching for a head coach to replace Jono Gibbes from next season, have already recruited Ireland internationals Jordi Murphy and Marty Moore from Leinster and Wasps respectively.
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2pm KO on a Monday. Do the FAI want to make it possible for people to attend.
For God’s sake 2 o’clock on a working day. Give them a chance. Well done on the result.
With all the publicity last week, that attendance figure is v underwhelming. Terrible shame the match was played in the afternoon and not in the evening. Massive opportunity wasted.
Still, fair play on the result, ladies!
FAI dropping the ball again. Big surprise.
@Daniel Brogan: Their last 2 competitive home games against Portugal and Montenegro were at 6pm and 7pm. These drew attendances of 1500 and 946. Compared to these games todays attendance looks excellent. The team just don’t have a following and an evening kickoff could result in a worse attendance
1000 people at the highest profile women’s game in years, proves how fake people are. It’s all very well posting ‘support’ on social media, but unless you are willing to go to their games, to buy tickets’ your moral support is meaningless.
The reality is nobody gives a shyt about women’s sport in this country, particularly other women. How can you talk about equality. When the men can pack out 55,000- 80,000 seat stadium on a regular basis and the women struggle to get 1000 to 1500 on their best day?
@SuzukaYuiMoa: Being fair, I have been a Connacht fan for most my life.
No way I would ever take a day off work for friendly.
Newcastle Jets u15 boys team beat the Australian senior women’s team 7-0 in a friendly a few years back ,just goes to show to standard of women’s soccer really .
@chris irwin: dead right , I watched a lot of the last women’s world cup… standard was embarrassing
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Great result, was this game just a friendly?
@Killian Mchale: Yep.