Rugby:Cillian Willis made his debut for the Sale Sharks at the weekend playing the last 20 minutes of a 23-10 defeat at Saracens. The 26 year old former Ireland Under 21 international had been filling in for Leinster this season in the absence of Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss, both of whom were with Ireland at the recent World Cup.

When the pair returned, Willis was released – he played well on limited opportunities – and Sale approached him offering a contract until the end of the season as they plan without injured scrumhalves Dwayne Peel and Scott Mathie.

He was considering giving up professional rugby to pursue a career elsewhere but Willis, who has also played with Connacht and Ulster, is happy to continue at least until the end of the season. Ireland prop Tony Buckley was also a second half replacement for the Manchester club in their defeat.

Meanwhile Outstanding Scottish secondrow Richie Gray has agreed to join Sale in June of next year.