"Sale Sharks have formed a rugby strategy management board, which will meet regularly to devise and review the long term rugby strategy. This board will be chaired by Brian Kennedy and consist of the following members: Ian Blackhurst, Steve Diamond, John Mitchell and Bryan Redpath.

"The priority of all the management within Sale Sharks is to get back to winning ways and secure our position in the Premiership. We believe we have the playing and coaching talent and structure to achieve this.

"Beyond this we must plan medium and long term, to compete at the top of the game and this will be the remit of the strategy board."