Tom Ellis, a versatile forward who was on loan at Saracens and played for 80 minutes against Sale Sharks in March, has been signed by the Sharks on a contract that will run until the end of the 2023/24 Premiership season.
The 28-year-old, who came through the academy at Bath and played more than 100 games for his childhood club, will join Alex Sanderson’s squad immediately to prepare for the season’s end.
Ellis played alongside Sharks teammate George Ford at Bath. In January, he joined Saracens to fill in for Six Nations players.
Tom said: “I’m really happy to be here. From the outside it’s clear that this is a team and a club that’s on the up and I think the style of play here suits me.
“I played with George Ford at Bath and got to know some of the other lads in England camps and having some familiar faces around will really help me settle in.
“My last game was for Saracens at the AJ Bell and I got a taste of what an amazing atmosphere the fans create in the stadium.
“I also saw first hand how good this team is and I can’t wait to run out with the lads. I think with the quality we’ve got here we can achieve something special.”
“We never got on” – Joe Marler on three rugby stars he can’t stand
England prop Joe Marler is never afraid of sharing an opinion or two – especially when it’s about someone he doesn’t particularly like.
#1. Israel Folau
Over 1,000 days since Folau last played a professional match of rugby union, Marler’s old Twitter sparring partner made his return to the sport over the weekend.
The loose-head prop takes any chance he can to call out the former Wallabies fullback, who could soon represent Tonga, for his homophobic views.
In a series of tweets sent directly to Folau, Marler attached pictures and GIFs of men kissing, in a display of defiant humour which was praised by fellow players and LGBTQ fans alike.
Marler later named Folau in his dream team in a tongue-in-cheek fashion.
On selecting Folau as his fullback, Marler commented, “On the night out, after we had played our match on the Saturday, I’d take him out in Brighton to The Blue Oyster… a couple of clubs.”