George Ford will have brother Joe for company at Sale next season with the Sharks set to add him to their coaching staff next week.
The Doncaster head coach – three years George’s senior – is understood to have agreed terms to join the club where he spent three seasons as a player.
Ford will join a restructured coaching staff under director of rugby Alex Sanderson with his remit likely to focus on attack. He is expected to work closely alongside his brother who, as stand-off, has a big input into the Sharks’ tactical strategy.
Ford, 35, has carved out a strong reputation at the Championship club since retiring as a player in 2020. Having initially served as part of Steve Boden’s coaching staff at Doncaster, he stepped up to head coach last season.
He worked with consultant director of rugby Ian McGeechan at Castle Park, helping to guide the Knights to a third-place finish.
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McGeechan, 78, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, acted as a mentor to Ford with Ford in day-to-day charge, selecting the team, leading recruitment and running training.
He is regarded as one of the most promising young coaches in the country.
After reaching the Premiership play-offs for the third season running, only to fall short again Sale are searching for the coaching formula which can allow them to take the final step.
They announced the departure of long-serving head coach Paul Deacon earlier this week with former Italy second row Marco Bortolami revealed as his successor yesterday.
Ford’s upcoming addition is part of that plan.
He made 48 appearances for the club between 2013 and 2016, either side of spells at Leeds, and subsequently went on to join brother George at Leicester Tigers.
Sale’s hope is that their impending reunion at the Salford Community Stadium will help to increase the side’s potency. The Sharks were the lowest try-scorers of the top six in the Premiership this season.
