Sale Sharks appoint Jacob Ford as backs transition coach alongside brother George

Sale Sharks have appointed Jacob Ford as backs transition coach, the club confirmed, completing a family trio at the AJ Bell Stadium alongside fly-half brother George and attack coach Joe.

Jacob arrives from Championship side Doncaster Knights, where he spent the last six months as an assistant coach under Joe, who left to join Sale earlier this year. His CV also includes head coaching roles in the National Leagues and a stint with Glasgow Warriors’ Senior Academy.

The appointment is one of three new additions to Sale’s player development structure. Tom Gilchrist joins as forwards transition coach, having spent four years working within Yorkshire’s Academy, while Joe Collins has been named Head of Academy Strength and Conditioning, arriving from Blackrock College RFC in Dublin.

The cluster of Ford family members on Sale’s payroll will inevitably invite scrutiny, but the club has been quick to address the optics. Academy manager Fergus Mulchrone said the club conducted a “thorough, three-month recruitment process” before making any decisions.

“This has been a thorough, three-month recruitment process and we are confident we have appointed three outstanding individuals, who share our vision for developing the next generation of Sharks talent,” Mulchrone said.

On Jacob Ford specifically, Mulchrone pointed to his breadth of experience across different levels of the game. “Jacob’s experience across school, the national leagues and Glasgow’s Senior Academy will be invaluable in helping our young players develop the skills and decision-making required at the highest level.”

Mulchrone also highlighted the calibre of the wider intake. Gilchrist was praised for the “level of expertise” he is expected to bring to Sale’s transition forwards over the next two to three years, while Collins was described as bringing “a great depth of experience working all over the world” to underpin the physical development of academy players.

“The quality of candidates we attracted throughout this process is a reflection of the ambition and direction of this club,” Mulchrone added. “I have no doubt that Tom, Jacob and Joe will make a significant impact on the development pathway here at Sale Sharks.”

The trio’s primary remit will be to sharpen the bridge between Sale’s academy and the first team — an area the club has identified as a strategic priority.