SPORTS students at the University of Derby Buxton are celebrating a new partnership with one of the UK’s top rugby clubs by learning how Sale Sharks put bite into their attack.

The Aviva Premiership side have signed a ‘learning lab’ agreement which will see Buxton’s coaches of the future get access to the side’s closely-guarded secrets of success.

And students will mark the deal by watching the Sharks tackle renowned side Northampton Saints in April.

They will also be able to see the first team in training, hold a question-and-answer session with director of rugby Steve Diamond and be put through their paces by the Sharks coaches.

“To be able to watch the training session and chat with their head coaches, both of which are usually behind closed doors, is unique,” said Omari Williams, senior lecturer and experiential learning lead for sport at Buxton.

“This is early days for our partnership with Sale Sharks, but hopefully it will lead to work placements with the team which will provide the kind of real-world experience which Buxton prides itself on.

“Producing students who have hands-on experience as well as academic knowledge has led to more University of Derby Buxton students getting jobs within six months of graduation than their counterparts at Oxford or Cambridge.”

Helen Stuart, community events coordinator with Sale Sharks, said: “This new partnership with the University of Derby Buxton is a fantastic opportunity for the students to see at close hand the workings of an Aviva Premiership rugby team and we’re very much looking forward to working with Omari and the students.”