High-fives all around as Sale manage to keep their former All Black forward

Sale have announced that former All Black second row Bryn Evans has signed a one-year extension to remain in the Gallagher Premiership.

Evans has been with the Manchester club since arriving from Biarritz Olympique in 2015. Before his short stint in France, the dynamic lock played in his native New Zealand for Hawke’s Bay, the Blues and the Hurricanes before moving to London Irish in 2011 for three years.

Capped twice by the All Blacks, Evans has been crucial in organising the Sharks’ lineout success over recent seasons. 

Making his 100th Sharks appearance recently in the European Challenge Cup, the 6ft 4in second row has scored 60 points over four years for Sale and was excited about the prospect of sticking around for another season.

He said: “Sale is my home here in the UK and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, so I’m delighted to tag on another year. We are constantly building on the good stuff that’s already being shown on the pitch and I’m excited to see where we get to.”

Boss Steve Diamond added: “Bryn’s done a fantastic job here since arriving four years ago. He has a tremendous pedigree, is a great organiser, and we’re glad that he’ll be with us for an extra year.”

The re-signing of Evans gave Sale something to cheer less than 24 hours after prop Jake Pope was banned for six months following a second failed drugs test. 

The club stated: “Jake has received a six month ban from the RFU following a second violation of their Illicit Drugs Policy.

“As soon as Sale were made aware of Jake’s failed tests, the club intervened to ensure Jake had the support pathway he required to address the matter and avoid any further issues arising in the future.

“As a role model to young players across the North-West, this behaviour is unacceptable. The club does not condone the misuse of drugs from any player and accept the decision made by the RFU.

“However, Sale prides itself on being able to offer a career pathway into rugby for people of all backgrounds and circumstances and for this reason we feel it is right that, as a young man who has made mistakes, Jake be given a fair chance to redeem himself.”