Sale Sharks look set to pip Exeter Chiefs within the race to deal Premiership rivals Harlequins one other switch blow by signing England under-20 hooker Nathan Jibulu when his contract runs out on the finish of the season.
Fissler Confidential reported a few weeks in the past that Chiefs have been preserving shut tabs on Wimbledon School-educated Jibulu, 21, however sources at the moment are telling us that the Sharks at the moment are in pole place to do a deal.
Jibulu has scored one strive in six appearances for Quins this season, taking his tally to 4 tries in 19 video games since making a try-scoring debut within the Premiership Cup towards Saracens in September 2021.
The previous Esher and London Scottish loanee not too long ago informed Harlequins TV that he “nonetheless quite a bit to study and nonetheless quite a bit to construct on,” however it could seem that shall be taking place away from the Twickenham Stoop.
An insider has informed us that Quins are rattled on the information, which comes so shortly after inside centre Lennox Anyanwu, who has scored one strive in 5 appearances this season, has opted to maneuver to Montpellier in France subsequent season.
The Sharks are properly served within the hooking place, with former England and Lions star Luke Cowan-Dickie beginning 5 of their seven video games this season and scoring 4 tries.
Quins ought to have an early probability for revenge as they’re the favourites to land England scrum-half Raffi Quirke ought to he look to kick begin his profession with a transfer away from the North-West subsequent season.
It can even be one other bitter capsule to swallow for Chiefs boss Rob Baxter, who final week admitted the membership are ‘miles off the wage cap’, has been cleared to herald replacements this season.
Baxter is known to have a hooker and a scrum-half on his buying listing for subsequent season and, barring a last-minute change of coronary heart, shall be lacking out on Jibulu.