SALE have delivered a major statement of intent after signing highly-rated young England star Mathew Tait.
The 22-year-old back will arrive at Edgeley Park in the summer on a three-year deal after being told he could leave by current club Newcastle.
It is believed that Sharks will have to pay a five-figure transfer fee for Tait, who still had a year left on his current contract with Falcons.
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Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre said: "This is fantastic news for the club. Mathew is a naturally gifted rugby player who can play at full back, wing and outside centre.
"Although he is only 22 years old, he has already won 23 caps for England and has still tremendous potential to develop further as a player."
Tait, who can play at wing, outside centre or full back, has become one of the most sought after players in English rugby since breaking into the Newcastle first team at the age of 18.
After only five months as a Premiership regular, Tait was thrust into the spotlight when then England coach Andy Robinson selected him to start the first game of the 2005 Six Nations against Wales.
But he suffered a torrid time on his England debut, failing to make any kind of impact and twice being dumped unceremoniously to the ground by Gavin Henson.
Despite being dropped from the England squad after that game, Tait has since regained his Test place and was a key part of England's 2007 World Cup campaign, putting in a virtuoso performance in the final defeat to South Africa.
And now the talented Falcons academy graduate is lookign forward to the challenge of joining one of the Premiership's top sides.
He said: "I am really looking forward to joining Sale Sharks.
"I know some of the Sale Sharks players from the England squad and am looking forward to meeting the rest of the squad in pre-season training.
"I have really enjoyed my time at Newcastle Falcons, but I am now looking forward to a new challenge at Sale Sharks and playing with a different group of players."
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