One in, one out in forward ranks

4:23pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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SALE have completed their second signing in a week after promision back row Luke Abraham signed from Leicester Tigers.

The 24-year-old Leicester academy product will arrive at Edgeley park on a two-year deal in the summer and has been impressed by the club's ambition.

He said: "I am delighted to have signed for Sale Sharks and am looking forward to a new challenge at a new club.

"I know that Sale Sharks is a very ambitious club and that Philippe Saint Andre and Kingsley Jones are determined to achieve further success.

"I felt it was the right time to move and I look forward to meeting the Sale Sharks squad in pre-season training.

"I have enjoyed my time at Leicester Tigers and thank staff, players and supporters for everything they have done in my career to date."

Abraham's signing couldn't come at a better time for Sharks, with the news this week that another promising young English back row, Magnus Lund, is set to leave the club.

Lund has agreed terms on a move to French powerhouses Biarritz and is expected to complete a deal by the end of the week.

Despite breaking into the England team last year, Lund's international career has failed to take off and he believes a change could be just what is needed to help him improve as a player.

The 24-year-old flanker had been considering taking a year out of rugby to travel to America but now believes a move to Biarritz is his best option.

He said: "There's probably a time when everyone questions whether they are going to play, but when I think about it rugby's what I've always done and rugby's what I want to do.

"I was thinking about taking a bit of time out, for my body as much as anything else. Hopefully a change will be as good as a rest.

"I've been here in Manchester for quite a while. I don't know whether it is a bit of a comfort zone, but I've really enjoyed it here.

"I'm looking forward to a new challenge and part of that will be going over to a different country.

"Experiencing that will hopefully help me develop as a person and a player."