'Superb' short-term signing Hyron Andrews lands new deal with Sale

Hyron Andrews is staying with Sale Sharks until the end of next season after putting pen to paper on a one-year contract with the Gallagher Premiership semi-finalists.

The 28-year-old joined the Manchester-based Sharks in March from their United Rugby Championship Durban-based namesakes on a short-term deal until the end of the season after former England star Jonny Hill suffered a season-ending injury against La Rochelle.

Andrews made 83 appearances for his South African team, scoring three tries, and was part of the Sharks that suffered a Champions Cup quarter-final defeat to Toulouse last season.

Known for his high work rate, he was sent off for the first time in his career for a dangerous clean-out when Zebre Parma ended an 18-month wait for a win in November in what proved to be his last Sharks appearance.

Andrews has played eight times for Sale this season, helping them to four successive wins. He started their last two victories over Leicester Tigers and Saracens to help book this Saturday’s play-off trip to play Bath at The Rec.

He will become Alex Sanderson’s fourth signing for next season following the arrivals of Sharks teammate Le Roux Roets and Fijian centre Waisea Nayacalevu, and the return of Ireland International Will Addison from Ulster.

Andrews has made an impression on Sanderson, who said that he had signed a player who had slipped through the cracks in South Africa when he arrived in Manchester.

“Hyron is a superb athlete and a great player who we believe has been underrated and overshadowed over a few years due to the strength-in-depth and quality in the second row within the South African system.

“He pairs his prowess in the line-out with mobility around the park that will dovetail with the physicality we already have in our back five.”