Having persuaded young star Iain Thornley to cross codes and move from the DW Stadium to Edgeley Park earlier in the week, Sale have arguably secured an even bigger coup in capturing Unsworth.
He has enjoyed a distinguished career in League, having been the RL’s director of coaching between 1998 and 2007 before moving to become Wigan’s Player and Coach Development Manager.
Unsworth was also heavily involved at Wigan during their all conquering days in the late eighties and early nineties and also had a successful spell as coach to the Great Britain Academy as well as leading the British Armed Forces team that won the World Cup in 2008.
Sale had been without an Academy Manager following the departure of James Wade early last season and both director of rugby Kingsley Jones and head coach Mike Brewer had spoken of the role’s importance in terms of the long-term development of the club.
The Sharks have a proud tradition of bringing through top grade talent with England duo Mark Cueto and Charlie Hodgson both graduates of their Academy.
And after an extensive search for Wade’s successor, Jones admitted he was delighted that Sale had finally got their man.
“Ray’s appointment is outstanding news for the club,” said Jones. “We interviewed many quality applicants but Ray impressed us most.
“Ray’s knowledge of rugby is excellent and he will bring a level of planning, implementing and monitoring of player development structures.
“Ray will work closely with the community game across the north west to ensure the very best young players are developed to the best of their ability.”
Meanwhile, the Sharks have named a young squad to play in the JP Morgan Premiership Sevens at Leicester tonight.
The programme see Sale play Leeds Carnegie, Newcastle and hosts Leicester and the top two sides will join last week’s winners Saracens and Harlequins, plus two from next Friday’s pool at Northampton, in the finals night at Bath on August 6.
SALE: Henry Thomas, Charlie Baleirara, Tom Taylor, Luke Raselala, Ben Davey, Fergus Mulchrone, Elliot Brierley, Will Cliff, Josh Fowles, Ed Stobart, Tom Brady, James Lewis.
What is your verdict on the Sale reshuffle? Have your say.
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Why do they have to go to the rival code? What a waste of talent. He'll be still around for most of the time waiting for the ball, in damn cold weather in front of a few thou at Stockport! How sad.
Hmmmm.... a dozen or so nobodies signed up and someone with no Union background put in charge of the Academy, prediction one year for now Mr. Kennedy's helicopter pilot is asking for directions to Bedford and Coventry!