Sharks snap up Rouse

Brewer: Delighted

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Nottingham lock Nic Rouse has joined Sale as they look to beef up their pack ahead of the new Aviva Premiership campaign.

The former England Students and England Counties star has been training with the Sharks at their Carrington HQ for the last few weeks.

And during that time he has shown enough promise for head coach Mike Brewer to tempt him away from Nottingham with a permanent deal.

It will not however, be the first taste of Premiership rugby for Rouse, who made over 120 appearances for the Championship outfit.

Brief stint

The 29-year-old spent a brief spell on loan at London Irish two years ago after the Exiles were hit by an injury crisis in the second row.

"The signing of Nic increases my options in the second row," said former All Black skipper Brewer on the club's website.

"He has been training with us for a few weeks and has done very well. He is a very good lineout player in both attack and defence and is also a very busy player in the loose."

Nottingham director of rugby Glenn Delaney also has no doubts about his former star's ability to make an impact in the top flight.

"I always rated Nic Rouse as the best second-row player in the Championship", said Delaney, himself a former lock.

"He is a big, athletic player who always wanted Premiership rugby. He will add power and an athletic presence to any pack.