Sale Sharks skipper Dan Braid has signed a new one-year contract with an additional agreement that he will then join the club’s coaching team
The 33-year-old former All Black, who has proved a key figure at Sale ever since joining the club from Auckland Blues in January 2013, will carry on his stellar playing career next season and then become an assistant coach with the Sharks.
He was named as part of the Premiership‘s team of 2013/14 and has carried on that fine form this term and Sale said retaining Braid’s services was a massive coup.
He said: “Coming to Sale has worked out far better than even I could have imagined. When I arrived I was only on a six month contract and I was playing for my career to be honest.
“I knew what I could offer with my experience but to be here and to be made captain has been great.
“I really enjoy being at the club and it’s a great place to be involved in and I’m delighted to have signed the new deal to carry on playing and also to know that I’ll be involved on the coaching side going forward.”
Director of rugby Steve Diamond: added: “We are absolutely delighted that Dan has signed on for another season as a player and that he will then will be coming on board as assistant coach.
“He provides a lot of knowledge and has a real presence all around the club. He’s still got a year left in him as a player and he’s a big leader on the field and it’s great to know that will then be transposed into our coaching team.
“Dan’s settled in really well here ever since arriving and leads by example and he’s got all the qualities that you want in a player.”