RAF star Amy Cokayne agrees two-year deal with Sale Sharks for next season

Royal Air Force and England Rugby international Flight Lieutenant Amy Cokayne has agreed a two-year deal to move to Sale Sharks from Leicester Tigers from the start of the 2025/26 season.

Flt Lt Cokayne, who has won 83 England caps, joined Tigers from Harlequins ahead of the 2023/24 season and has also played for Wasps in women's rugby's top flight.

She will be joining Sharks under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Tom Hudson.

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Speaking to Sale Sharks, Flt Lt Cokayne said: "I'm so excited to come up north and play for Sale. There's been a lot of investment in the club, and there's so much passion for what is being built.

"I've played for a few clubs now and it's really important to me to be at a club that has passion and drive to support the women's team.

"That's clearly the case at Sale, and I want to be part of this journey to see how far we can take it."

Sharks Women's head coach Tim Hudson added: "At the risk of sounding predictable, it's Amy's world-class ability around the set piece that should get the north excited.

"To play the brand of rugby we want to play next year, we will need to create a platform to build off and I can't think of a better player in the PWR (Premiership Women's Rugby) to secure and improve those foundations than Amy.

"This is a really exciting signing, and it's just the start for us. We've got big ambitions for this club and we're confident that we're building a team that can really compete in the coming seasons."