Sale Sharks have announced that former Northampton assistant coach Dorian West has joined them as forwards coach with immediate effect.
During his playing career, West played for Leicester Tigers.
He was awarded 21 caps for England after his debut in 1998, and retired from the international scene after the 2003 World Cup Final. Following that success against Australia in Sydney, he was awarded an MBE.
West started his career in coaching with England U21 before achieving domestic and European success with Northampton Saints alongside Jim Mallinder.
“I’m very pleased to be here and am looking forward to the new challenge ahead. I have known Dimes (Steve Diamond) for many years and he has given me a great opportunity and I can’t wait to get started,” said West, who left Franklin’s Gardens at the end of last season.
Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond added: “Dorian and I go back a long way and very rarely does a person with his qualities become available. Dorian is a proven winner as a player and a coach and he’ll make a huge improvement whilst looking after the club’s forwards.”