Trophy ambition drives Raffi Quirke's decision to stay put

Sale Sharks and England scrum-half Raffi Quirke has committed his future to his boyhood club by putting pen to paper on a new two-year contract.

Quirke, who won both of his England caps in 2021, was reportedly on Exeter’s radar but the 23-year-old wants to win things with his mates at the Sharks.

“It’s such an exciting time to be a part of this club because I really believe that we’ve got the team and we’re close to winning some big trophies,” he said.

“Everyone wants to win trophies but to do it here, at my hometown club, playing with some of my best mates and with my whole family watching every week would be so special.

“Training and playing with some of my best mates is brilliant. I love coming into Carrington every day because it really feels like home.

“I’m fully focused on playing as well as I can for Sale but I want to be involved with England too. With so many of our lads in the current squad, I know this is the best place for me to be.”

Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson hailed the lightning quick half-back as ‘a game-breaker’.

He said: “We wanted Raffi to find form so he could come to the table and get what he deserves for the calibre of player that he is. We feel like he has done that in recent games and he’s shown what a brilliant player he is.

“He’s a gamebreaker, he’s homegrown, he’s devoutly northern and he’s got the ability and potential to be one of the world’s best in his position. He’s got work to do to get there, but we want to go on that journey with him.

“He’s the latest of many of our young, homegrown lads who have committed to the club because they understand our higher purpose, and they know how special it is to play and train with their best mates.

“They want Sale Sharks to become the team and the club we know it can be, and for Raffi, that commitment is as much of a plus point as his talent.”