Sale Sharks: Hendre Fourie retires but Daniel Braid signs
Sale's former England flanker Hendre Fourie has retired because of a shoulder injury, but the Sharks have strengthened their pack by signing New Zealand open-side Daniel Braid.
Fourie, who won eight England caps, made only three appearances for Sale.
The 33-year-old has been advised to quit on medical advice.
All Black flanker Braid, 31, joins Sale, currently bottom of the Premiership table, from Auckland Blues until the end of the season.
"He is a hard working flanker who tackles well and reads the game well too," said director of rugby Steve Diamond of flanker Braid, who has won four caps for his country.
"He is an important signing for us and I am sure he will fit in perfectly."
Braid has won four caps for New Zealand
Braid added: "It's great to get the opportunity to come to Europe, play a different style of rugby and live a different lifestyle.
"When I knew I was coming here, I went online and had a look at the squad and some of the names here such as Sam Tuitupou and Danny Cipriani.
"To see where Sale are in the table was a bit of a shock, but there are still quite a few games to go and with the win against Worcester, hopefully it's a case of onwards and upwards."
Sale had hoped Fourie would make a full recovery from his shoulder injury, but news of his retirement was confirmed on Thursday morning.
Diamond said: "As a club, we have backed Hendre 100% in his battle to get fit. Unfortunately, his shoulder has not recovered.
"His body has been battered so much that the shoulder won't recover."