Niamh Swailes

Hooker Niamh Swailes joined Sale Sharks from DMP Sharks in 2022. She had come up through the North East and Cumbria Centre of Excellence before making the cross-Pennine move. 

Niamh started playing rugby at the age of 12 at Ryton RUFC, in Gateshead, after quitting competitive swimming. She went on to represent Durham County and her region’s CoE before joining DMP Sharks. 

Recognised as a leader from a young age, Niamh captained the North of England U18 side and England U18s, and she has been called into the U20s squad. She names Irish hooker Neve Jones as her sporting role model. 

Outside the game, she is studying Psychology of Sport at Salford University.