Former Gloucester Rugby, Bath Rugby and Wasps star signs for Sale Sharks

Gloucester Rugby's released scrum-half Joe Simpson has been snapped up by Gallagher Premiership rivals Sale Sharks on a short-term contract ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Simpson who has one England cap and was part of his country’s squad for the 2011 World Cup while playing for Wasps, has put pen to paper on a six-month deal at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Simpson made almost 250 appearances for Wasps after graduating from their academy in 2008, before joining Gloucester in 2019.

He had loan spells at both Saracens and Bath Rugby last season, but after being released from his contract at Kingsholm, he has joined up with Alex Sanderson’s squad for pre-season ahead of a busy Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup campaign.

Simpson, 34, arrives at the club with Sharks scrum halves Raffi Quirke and Will Cliff currently sidelined with injuries and with Springbok star Faf de Klerk having left Sale for Japan last month,

Sharks director of rugby Sanderson said: “We felt that we were short of a bit of experience in the scrum-half position and Joe brings that in abundance. He’s a proven performer who’s played at the very highest level for the past decade and more and we’re sure he will be a brilliant addition to what is a very young squad.

“Everyone who has worked with Joe speaks really highly of him in terms of his leadership off the field so we’re really excited to see what he can do here. Joe’s experience will be invaluable for our young players like Raffi, Gus Warr and Nye Thomas.”

Simpson has been one of the Premiership’s most consistent performers over the past decade and still believes he can play on for another three seasons, following in the footsteps of fellow former England internal Richard Wigglesworth who has just