'Hardest decision of my life': Sale Sharks confirm Raffi Quirke exit

Sale Sharks have confirmed that scrum-half Raffi Quirke will leave the club at the end of the season amid widespread speculation that he is set to join Gallagher PREM rivals Newcastle Red Bulls.

The 24-year-old has spent the entirety of his career to date at Sale, coming through the academy and making his debut at the age of 19 in 2021.

Quirke was capped by Eddie Jones for England later that year, making his debut against the Wallabies and scoring his first try a week later in a victory over South Africa.

Those have been Quirke’s only two Tests so far, with a cruel string of injuries hampering his progress for both club and country.

The Englishman has featured for Sale five times this season, playing in Sale’s recent PREM defeat to Bristol Bears.

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“This has been the hardest decision of my life so far because Sale is the club that I grew up supporting and dreaming of playing for,” Quirke said.

“Playing here since I was 15 has been an amazing experience and a privilege that has shaped me as a player and a person and I will be forever grateful to Alex, the owners, the coaches, the players and the supporters for truly believing in me.

“It goes without saying that I will give everything I have for the rest of the season to bring success to Sale.

“I have always seen rugby as my opportunity to explore different environments, people and places. I feel, for my rugby and personal development, that my story just needs a new challenge and a new setting.”

Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson added: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Raffi and as a homegrown player who grew up supporting the club, we all would have loved for him to continue his career with us.

“He feels like he wants to try a new environment and a new challenge and we respect his decision. He’ll leave with our blessing and thanks for everything that he’s given to the club while he’s been here.”