England's Cunningham-South: Club future looks a done deal

England flanker Chandler Cunningham-South could be about to dump more transfer misery on Sale Sharks by agreeing a new deal with Gallagher PREM rivals Harlequins.

Cunningham-South, 22, who is in the final year of his contract with Harlequins, has spoken to the Sharks about a move when his deal runs out in July next year, as RugbyPass exclusively revealed in September.

But we understand that there has been a breakthrough in talks between the back-rower, who was born in Sidcup, South-East London, but grew up in New Zealand, before spending two seasons with London Irish and Quins.

And it would appear that, unless there are any last-minute hitches, Cunningham-South, who joined Harlequins when their London rivals entered administration, will be remaining at the Twickenham Stoop next season.

It will provide some much-needed good news for the player, who ends his run of being included in England’s last 20 matchday squads after picking up an ankle injury in the PREM defeat at Exeter Chiefs two weeks ago.

The injury means Cunningham-South, who was overlooked for an enhanced Elite Player Squad deal, will miss this weekend’s clash with Australia, against whom he scored a brace of tries a year ago.

It will be another blow for the Sharks, who also made England and Lions scrum-half Alex Mitchell an offer before he decided to stay with Northampton Saints.

It means that Sharks boss Alex Sanderson, who had been targeting a massive spending spree to bolster his squad for next season, could have to look elsewhere if Cunningham-South, who can also play lock, remains in London.

“We’ve probably got enough budget for four or five world-class international players. We’re looking for those players who have the biggest impact on the ball and maybe the most touches.

“You look at our squad and where we might be a little short in strength in depth. That’s where we’re looking to recruit. It’s a weekly task and one that I’m quite enjoying in terms of meeting players.

“And seeing how it all fits together for next season. All the white noise can create insecurity within your own squad, which, I might add, I’m quite happy with, given our retention rate is at 95 per cent,” he told the media last week.