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Dominic Barrow has ended his two-year retirement and joined Sale
By Kim Ekin
Sale have announced the permanent signing of Dominic Barrow, the ex-Leicester, Newcastle and England U20s lock. The 28-year-old, who was part of the England age-grade team that won the IRB Junior World Championship in 2013, joined Sharks initially on trial after two years without a club.
Barrow had retired from rugby in 2020 to run a firm specialising in installing electric vehicle charging points but after impressing Sharks coaches in training, the Sheffield-born forward has now joined Alex Sanderson’s squad immediately on a permanent deal.
The second row said: "I have gained a far greater sense of perspective since spending a bit of time away from rugby. However, I have a burning desire to get back into the sport as I feel I have unfinished business. I believe I’m capable of international honours but I haven’t yet reached my potential.
"I was really impressed with Alex and his vision for Sale Sharks right from our first conversation. From my experience, this is a club on the up that is clearly going places and it is a hugely exciting place to be. I’m thrilled to be in this environment, which I believe will get the very best out of me and help me reach my goals.”
Sale boss Sanderson added: “I’m really excited to welcome Dominic to the club. He is someone I have known about for a number of years and I know exactly how good he can be. He has performed at the very top level for a number of years and that experience can only benefit our squad at a really important time of the season.
“Dominic has been with us on trial for a number of weeks and he has fitted in so well. He has already become a leader in the group and I can’t wait to see what else we can achieve together.”
A sporting all-rounder in his youth, Barrow spent time in the Manchester United academy as a youngster but made the switch to rugby as a teenager, joining Yorkshire Carnegie’s academy. He captained England U16 and U18 teams before joining Newcastle in 2013. After a two-year stint in the northeast, he joined Leicester and went on to make more than 50 appearances at Welford Road.
He next joined Northampton ahead of the 2018/19 season but injuries restricted his appearances and he left the club in March 2019. The following year he announced he was retiring from professional rugby to join Pure-EV, saying he had given everything he could to the sport and was passionate about his new business venture.
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Latest Comments
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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