Former Northampton forwards coach Dorian West joins Premiership rivals

Former Northampton forwards coach Dorian West has joined Premiership rivals Sale Sharks as their new forwards coach.

During his playing career, Dorian played at hooker for Leicester Tigers. He was awarded 21 caps for England after his debut in 1998, and retired from the international scene after the 2003 World Cup Final. Following that success against Australia in Sydney, Dorian was awarded the MBE.

Dorian started his career in coaching with England Under-21 before achieving domestic and European success with Northampton Saints alongside Jim Mallinder.

The Saints were promoted from the Championship in Dorian’s first year at the club, and followed this up with the European Challenge Cup in 2009 and the LV= Cup in 2010. Northampton also reached the Heineken Cup final one year later.

2014 was a golden year, with the Premiership and European Challenge Cup double.

West, who left Franklins Gardens at the end of last season, said: “I’m very pleased to be here and am looking forward to the new challenge ahead, I have known Dimes for many years and he has given me a great opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”

Sharks’ Director of Rugby Steve Diamond added: “Dorian and I go back a long way and very rarely does a person with his qualities become available. Dorian is a proven winner as a player and a coach and he’ll make a huge improvement looking after the club’s forwards.”

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