Joe Stratford: Sale Sharks have agreed a deal to sign England’s World Cup-winning captain

England’s World Cup-winning captain Joe Stratford has agreed to join Sale Sharks.

The 29-year-old, who led England to their third World Cup win last year, will leave three-time defending Premiership women’s rugby champions Gloucester-Hartpury at the end of the season.

Stratford joined Gloucester-Hartpury in 2017 and played a key role in their rise to become a dominant force in the women’s domestic game.

he pregnant with her first child, is due in September, and will join her husband Luke, who is Sale’s women’s scrum coach, when she returns to rugby.

“I feel ready to take the next step in my career and being pregnant, I really want to raise my child as a Northerner,” Stratford said.

“Luke absolutely loves it at Sale. He loves the whole atmosphere at the club. It’s great to see how much Sale have invested in the women’s team and it’s something I can’t wait to be a part of.

“I enjoyed success at Gloucester and with England and hopefully I can bring that experience of winning and help build that belief in the team because I have no doubt we can achieve great things.”

Gloucester-Hartbury of Stratford and England team-mate Tatyana Hurd, 31, A deal was agreed to join the sale last week.

Sale are enjoying their best ever Premiership season, challenging Harlequins and Trailfinders for the final play-off spot with two rounds to play.