Beckett follows Stratford and Aldcroft to Sale

England forward Sarah Beckett has become the third key Gloucester-Hartpury player to sign for Sale Sharks, following Red Roses captain Zoe Stratford and fellow Women's Rugby World Cup winner Tatyana Heard in moving north.

Beckett, 27, won the most recent of her 35 England caps against Italy in 2024 and says that a desire to force her way back on to the Test scene is part of the motivation behind her move.

"I'm really excited for a new challenge," said the back row, who grew up in Liverpool. "The idea of moving back home and coming back to the north to play my rugby feels really exciting.

"I'm looking forward to working with new players and new coaches and I think it's a great time to join this club because it's in a really good place.

"I've won a lot at Gloucester over the past few years but with me being out of the England set-up at the moment, I just feel like I need a new challenge in a new environment."

Beckett's older brother Charlie joined Sale as defence coach last season.

"It'll be really cool to work with Charlie. He's a great coach with some brilliant ideas," she said.

"We're really aligned on the way we see the game and it would be amazing to win a championship with him."

Sale have enjoyed a breakthrough season this year.

After finishing bottom of Premiership Women's Rugby in 2024-25, with one win from 16 games, they are in contention for the final play-off spot in this campaign with two rounds of fixtures to go.

Beckett, Stratford and Heard are the ambitious side's latest big-name England recruits, with fly-half Hollie Aitchison and hooker Amy Cokayne signing last summer, along with Scotland wing Rhona Lloyd.