England boss Eddie Jones is monitoring the progress of Sale’s South African-born No 8 Jono Ross ahead of the summer tour to his homeland.
Steve Diamond, the Sale director of rugby, revealed that Jones had inquired about Ross, who was twice let go by Blue Bulls in South Africa before joining Sale in 2017.
“We have had conversations with Eddie and Steve [Borthwick, England forwards coach] about Jono,” revealed Diamond to The Guardian.
“All we can do is to get him to play like he has been playing and then we back it up with the odd conversation.
“I don’t think he will become the star, but I think he would certainly be in the running to be first on the teamsheet if I am honest.”
The 27-year-old is from Johannesburg, but is English-qualified on account of his grandmother from Essex, and therefore is eligible for the tour.