Ross Harrison extends Sale stay
Ross Harrison has become the latest key figure to commit his long-term future to Sale Sharks, with the prop signing a new four-year contract with the club.
Harrison's contract boost comes hot on the heels of last week's announcements that England wing Denny Solomona, Scotland star Byron McGuigan and American fly-half AJ MacGinty have also agreed new long-term deals with the Sharks.
And news of Harrison's new contract is also further demonstration that Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond is both building and sustaining a squad capable of challenging for major honours going forward.
At just 25 Harrison may still be young in years but he has emerged as one of the Sharks' most experienced operators since making his debut against Spanish minnows La Vila back in 2012.
Since then, the Bolton-born loosehead operator has gone on to establish himself as one of the key cornerstones of the Sale forward line, chalking up more than 150 appearances in total and more than 100 in the testing environment of the Premiership.
Earlier this season, Harrison achieved another notable first when he dotted down for his maiden Sale try during the 36-7 home league win against London Irish.
Having established himself as one of the most consistent performers in the Premiership, Harrison's impact has also registered on the international radar with the former Lymm High School pupil having figured for England sides against the Barbarians at Twickenham in both 2014 and 2017 as well as with the Saxons side in 2016.
Harrison's consistency also saw him invited to train with Eddie Jones' England squad last May to provide yet more evidence that he is very much a contender for further international recognition.
Harrison said: "It's great to have secured my future with the club. Given the way that the club is developing, I know that we are on the right track.
"With Simon and Ged having come on board as co-owners we are really ambitious and it was an easy decision for me to sign the new contract.
"Over the past couple of seasons I feel like I have really kicked on again. As a team we are getting stronger all the time and I believe there is plenty to look forward to as regards our future."
Commenting on Harrison's new contract, Sale director of rugby Diamond said: "Ross is a legend of Sale in the making. His feet are firmly on the ground and he's a real hard worker.
"The way that the team is built and the way that the team will get its success over the next three or four years is by having a tight-five that grafts and Ross epitomises that.
"If he carries on doing what he does for us week in, week out then the knock on the door international-wise will come sooner rather than later.
"He's massively durable, resilient – all the great words you want to say about a prop forward – and he's a pleasure to work with and we are delighted he has agreed to a new deal."