Sale Sharks have been dealt a triple blow in the build-up to their Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm). In addition to season-ending injuries for loosehead prop Bevan Rodd and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, replacement hooker Nathan Jibulu has been suspended for six weeks. This follows an independent disciplinary hearing after Jibulu had been cited for allegedly biting the Harlequins replacement prop, Will Hobson, in the 69th minute of Sale’s Round of 16 win at the Stoop last Saturday. Cowan-Dickie had finished off two lineout maul tries against Harlequins but went off with a broken forearm, while Rodd suffered a dislocated shoulder in the game. “I think that’s probably their season over,” said the Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson, also ruling them out of England’s summer Tests.

Source: The Irish Times April 08, 2026 06:16 UTC