Jibulu signs new Sale Sharks deal until 2030 as Sanderson eyes England call-up

Nathan Jibulu has signed a new contract with Sale Sharks that runs until 2030, head coach Alex Sanderson confirmed, with the 23-year-old hooker’s recent performances raising serious questions about his place in Steve Borthwick’s England plans.

Croydon-born Jibulu has been one of the standout performers in the Gallagher Premiership this season, earning man-of-the-match honours in back-to-back wins over Saracens and Harlequins in the last fortnight.

The timing of his form is significant. With Saracens stalwart Jamie George set to retire after the Rugby World Cup, no hooker has yet staked a convincing claim to challenge Luke Cowan-Dickie as Borthwick’s first choice. Cowan-Dickie and Theo Dan offer mobility around the park — a recognised strength of Jibulu’s — but questions have lingered over their set-piece throwing, an area Jibulu worked on this summer that could prove decisive in the succession race.

Sanderson was effusive about his player’s development, crediting defence coach Mike Forshaw with helping unlock Jibulu’s potential. “Mike Forshaw gives everyone nicknames because he isn’t very good with names, and he calls him Jibbernaut because he is just an immovable object,” Sanderson said. “He was always a good character, but on both sides of the ball now he’s proven to be a bit of a wrecking ball.”

The Sale boss was equally pointed about the England opportunity on offer. “Behind Jamie or Luke, I don’t think anyone’s really kind of put their hand up and grabbed hold of that number two spot, so it’s there for him, isn’t it?”

Sanderson highlighted the set-piece improvement as the foundation for everything else Jibulu brings. “What’s been most impressive is the set-piece, his throwing and scrummaging, because he’s always been a really good ball carrier. But you’ve still got to, as a front-rower, do your bread and butter, and the set piece is your foundation.”

The new deal, Sanderson suggested, may itself be a factor in Jibulu’s current form. “He is committed to us until 2030. So he’s kind of settled here now and made his home, and that in itself can release you a little bit as well.”