Bryan Redpath to be Sale Sharks coach

FORMER Scotland scrum-half Bryan Redpath will be announced as the new coach of Sale Sharks, possibly as early as tomorrow.

Currently head coach at Gloucester, the 40-year-old led the West Country giants to third place in the Aviva Premiership last season, when the club also won their first silverware for over a decade by lifting the LV Cup. He has been at Kingsholm since 2005, when he ended his playing career after a spell at Sale. The Borderer has been the Cherry and Whites’ head coach since 2009.

Redpath is close to the Sharks’ Scottish owner Brian Kennedy, who until recently was involved in a bid to rescue Rangers. Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond has been acting head coach since Kennedy sacked Tony Hanks a few weeks ago.

Redpath worked with forwards coach Carl Hogg at Gloucester but he is not thought likely to join Redpath in Manchester.

The timing of Redpath’s move will raise eyebrows as Gloucester have recruited well for next season, capturing giant England No.8 Ben Morgan, as well as the hugely promising centre Billy Twelvetrees who they snatched from under Leicester’s nose. Redpath will, however, have Scotland forward Richie Gray, who moves from Glasgow at the end of the season.

The expected announcement of the Galashiels-born former Scotland captain’s move is sure to add spice to the upcoming fixture between Gloucester and Sale on 21 April. The clubs are competing for the lucrative last spot in next season’s Heineken Cup.