Sale’s Josh Beaumont sidelined for months

By Adam Ellis
Sale Sharks have been dealt a blow with second row forward Josh Beaumont ruled out for three months.
Director of rugby Steve Diamond revealed Beaumont had torn a bicep after being forced off in Friday night’s 42-26 defeat to Harlequins at the Stoop.
“The negative of last weekend apart from the result was that Josh snapped his bicep tendon and will be out for three months,” Diamond told the club’s official website.
“It is a blow as Josh had been playing really well and had adapted brilliantly to playing in the second row.
“He’s had a few injury setbacks but he’s only 23 and he’s still a young lad. He’s getting all the support he needs from us and all the support he needs from his family and I’m sure that he will come back bigger and stronger.”
Sale have made an inconsistent start to their Premiership campaign after six matches – winning two and losing four – and Diamond has signalled his intentions to cover the losses to his injury-hit squad by looking at recruiting ‘world class’ players.
“With Josh getting injured we’re out in the market for a world-class lock and with Johnny Leota and Will Addison out we are also in the market for a world-class centre,” Diamond admitted.
“The message has gone out to agents that whether it is a short-term deal for three months or a long-term agreement for three years we are actively in the market for players in those two positions.”
Surprisingly, Diamond added that he is centering his search for new talent in the southern hemisphere with summer additions assisting in identifying targets.
“Both Faf De Klerk and James O’Connor are assisting us in that search as they know people in South Africa and Australia respectively and they know of people in the Super Rugby fraternity who we may have missed out.
“So they are helping out at the minute trying to find those players for us.”