Sarah Beckett Joins Sale Sharks, Eyes England Return After Gloucester Success
Sarah Beckett, the England forward, has signed with Sale Sharks, marking her as the third significant player from Gloucester-Hartpury to make the move, following Zoe Stratford and Tatyana Heard, both of whom are Women's Rugby World Cup winners. At just 27 years old, Beckett has already made 35 appearances for England, with her latest match occurring against Italy in 2024. Her decision to join Sale Sharks stems from a strong desire to reintegrate herself into the international scene. She expressed her enthusiasm for this new chapter, stating: "I'm really excited for a new challenge. The idea of moving back home and coming back to the north to play my rugby feels really exciting." Beckett looks forward to collaborating with new teammates and coaches, believing that this transition comes at an opportune moment for the club, which she describes as being in a strong position. Reflecting on her time at Gloucester, she acknowledged her accomplishments but recognized the need for change: "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." With her arrival at Sale Sharks, Beckett aims to reignite her career and work towards a return to the England squad.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-28