SALE Sharks Women have further bolstered their ranks with the signing of two centres.

Ahead of taking their place in the Tyrrells Premier 15s next season, the Sharks have added Laura Perrin and Vicky Irwin to their ranks.

The former has previously played for Firwood Waterloo while the latter joins Sale from Cooke in Belfast.

The duo are the latest arrivals as part of the recruitment drive at the AJ Bell Stadium. England’s World Cup-winning captain Katy Daley-Mclean, who will also have coaching responsibilities, Scotland international scrum half Mhairi Grieve and Wales prop Molly Kelly are the other new faces so far with more to follow.

Darren Lamon, the Sharks’ head of women’s rugby, said: “Having Laura join the club is really exciting.

“She’s a very talented young player with lots of potential.

"A physical centre who is a competitor and wants to play for the club, and represent the North West, her experience of playing in the Tyrrells Premier 15s, and being in the England U20s set up, along with her desire to get better, and to maximise her potential means that she is a really good fit for the women’s squad, and we are looking forward to what she can do in a Sale Sharks shirt.

“It’s great to have Vicky joining as well, Vicky will be joining from Cooke RUFC and has played provincial rugby for Ulster Women.

“Vicky is an athletic centre who can also play other positions in the back line, and will be another quality addition to the squad.”

Perrin, from the Fylde coast, revealed she was joining a club that was close to her heart.

She said: “I’m delighted to be joining Sale Sharks Women having followed the club since childhood.

“It will fantastic to be involved with a high performance women’s rugby outfit, that will inspire women and girls across the region.

“I’m excited to develop further as a player and I can’t wait to get started.”

Irwin is looking forward to getting her first taste of the top tier of women’s rugby in England, the Sharks having been admitted for the next three years after a successful application.

She said: “I’m really excited for the opportunity to join Sale Sharks Women, and challenge myself in the Tyrrells Premier 15s competition.

"I’m looking forward to getting started and learning from the coaches and the more experienced players in the squad.”