Sale Sharks can today confirm that full-back Simon Hammersley will leave the club and retire from rugby at the end of the current season to pursue a career outside the sport.
The 29-year-old fans favourite, who joined the club from Newcastle Falcons ahead of the 2019/20 season, has played 59 times for Sharks, including 16 games this season.
Originally from Hull, Simon studied at Durham University with Sharks teammate Josh Beaumont and started his professional rugby career with the Falcons in 2013.
He made his Premiership debut in 2014 at just 21 and his form in his first two years of first team rugby was rewarded with a call up to the England Saxons squad to tour South Africa in 2016.
“Moved him on” – Sale Sharks confirm EIGHT departures
#1. AJ MacGinty to Bristol Bears
Regarded as one of the best fly halves in the Premiership, the 31 year-old links up with Pat Lam once again, having helped Connacht to a maiden PRO12 title during the 2015/16 season.
#2. JP du Preez to Glasgow Warriors
The 6ft 10in lock will join the Warriors from Sale Sharks in the summer subject to visa clearance. Du Preez has only been with Sale for just over a year, having joined the English Premiership club from the Cheetahs, who used to compete in what was then the PRO14.