Charnley to follow Robinson, says Sale director

Sale's director of rugby, Steve Diamond, says new signing Josh Charnley can make the same impact on rugby union as England great, Jason Robinson, did when he moved from rugby league.

Published 30th Mar 2016

By Matthew Pintus

Sale Shark’s director of Rugby, Steve Diamond, thinks Josh Charnley can make the same transition from rugby league to rugby union as former England international, Jason Robinson.

This comes after the club announced the signing of Charnley from rugby league side, Wigan Warriors, earlier today.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Diamond said: “It’s a little bit of a gamble but we’re not risk adverse here. There was a gamble 15 years ago with Jason Robinson but he made it and three or four others have too."

Robinson made the same move as Charnley in 2000. He went on to win the World Cup with England in 2003 and, in the 2005/2006 season, became the first In the 2005-2006 season became the first person to have lifted both the Guinness Premiership and the Super League trophies.

Charnley, who’s played seven times for England, scored a hat-trick of tries in Monday's 30-16 win over Hull KR.

In total, he’s scored 148 tries and kicked 94 goals in 152 games for last season's Super League grand finalists.

He’ll join up with his new teammates at the end of the current Super League Season.