England hot prospect Nathan Jibulu signs for Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson admits that he has no doubts that new signing Nathan Jibulu will win an England cap after announcing the hooker’s switch to the North-West from Premiership rivals Harlequins.

RugbyPass exclusively revealed in November that the Sharks had pipped Exeter Chiefs to signing the former England U20 and A international on a long-term deal when his Quins deal runs out this summer.

Jibulu, 22, a product of the Quins Academy, has made nine appearances this season and scored two tries, and Sanderson is delighted to have seen off the Chiefs to get his man.

“Nathan is really driven. He understands what he wants from his life and his career, and he knows how he’s going to get it. He’s a young lad, but he’s incredibly mature, and he’s got the game and the physical attributes to match,” Sanderson said.

“I’ve got no doubt he’ll play for England in the future, and we’re really excited to bring him to the club.”

Jibulu, who was part of the England A squad for the clash against Australia A in November, said he’d always been attracted to the Sharks mentality and style of play.

“When I was younger, whenever someone asked me, ‘What team would you want to play for?’ I’d always say Sale. I love how the team plays and the mentality around the club.

“I like the toughness and the attitude that we’re going to run over you physically, and it’s going to be relentless for 80 minutes. I love those games where you go toe-to-toe physically.

“So all of that attracted me straight away, and then speaking to people who are there already, they said all the stuff that I really like, so it was a no-brainer when the opportunity came about.”

Jibulu will find plenty of familiar faces in the Sharks dressing room and is looking forward to resuming his front-row partnership with Asher Opoku-Fordjour.

“I’ve played with Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Nye Thomas, Tristan Woodman, Alex Wills, Tom Burrow, Tumy Onasanya and Asher Opoku-Fordjour,” he added.

“I’ve scrummed a lot with Asher, and I got to know him pretty well. I always tell him how special and different he is, and I can’t wait to play with him.

“The way the club has developed him and nurtured him to become an established Premiership and England player speaks volumes about the coaching and the support that he’s getting at Sale.

“The entire front row is in the England squad, with the Curry boys too, so that tells you that someone at the club is doing something right. I looked at that, and I said, ‘Why would you not want to be there?’

“I can’t wait to come and make Manchester my home for a long time. The potential in this squad is massive, and I think we can win some big trophies,” he added.