Sarah Beckett leaves Gloucester Hartpury for Sale Sharks in search of fresh challenge

Sarah Beckett, one of the most decorated players in English women’s rugby, has signed for Sale Sharks from Gloucester Hartpury, the club confirmed this week. The 27-year-old forward brings four PWR titles — three with Gloucester Hartpury and one with Harlequins — and 35 England caps to Morson Stadium.

Beckett is the third player to make the move from Gloucester Hartpury to Sale this summer, following fellow forwards Zoe Stratford and Tatyana Heard to the north-west club. A native of Crosby, Merseyside, she spent eight years in the south of England after relocating to access full-time professional rugby, but says the landscape has changed enough to bring her home.

“I moved down to the south eight years ago because I wanted to move into a full-time programme and there wasn’t an option to do that in the north,” Beckett said. “Since then, a lot has changed and now it’s more about working out where the best fit for me is. I really think that’s at Sale.”

Her departure from Gloucester Hartpury comes at a difficult personal moment. Beckett has missed out on selection for two Rugby World Cups — the 2021 edition and the upcoming 2025 tournament — and is currently outside the England set-up. She was candid about her reasons for seeking a change of scenery.

“I’ve won a lot at Gloucester over the past few years but with me being out of the England set-up at the moment, I just feel like I need a new challenge in a new environment,” she said.

Beckett made her senior debut for Firwood Waterloo Ladies at 18 before earning her first England cap against the USA Women’s Eagles in 2018. She played every match of the 2019 Women’s Six Nations as the Red Roses claimed a Grand Slam, and remained a fixture in the full-time Red Roses programme until 2025.

The move also reunites her with her brother Charlie, who joined Sale ahead of the 2025/26 season as the club’s defence and Under-23 coach. Both will be based at the club’s Carrington training facility.

Sale head coach Tom Hudson welcomed the signing with enthusiasm. “Sarah Beckett is North-West born and bred, a 35-cap Red Rose, and has won four PWR titles with two different clubs,” he said. “Success seems to follow her wherever she goes, so the decision to bring her home was a bit of a no-brainer. I am hugely excited to be adding Sarah to our environment and culture.”