Sale Sharks have confirmed that former player-coach John Mitchell has taken a full-time coaching role with the club.

The club have made the move in order to overcome a disappointing start to the season which has seen them occupy bottom spot in the Aviva Premiership.

"I back myself in these situations and I back my people that I work with. I've never been afraid of difficult challenges," Mitchell told the club's official website.

"Some of my mates think I'm mad and that I should sit back and wait for a Test team, but at the end of the day rugby is in my blood and I think this challenge is something that stimulates me because of the situation that Sale Sharks are in."

Sale have won only one of their first nine league matches this season.

Written by
Matt Law