Mugford aims to prove Sale were wrong to dump him

FRUSTRATED fly-half Dan Mugford insists he still has a Premiership future despite the disappointment of being deemed surplus to requirements by Sale.

Having fought his way through the leagues via Cambridge, London Scottish and Nottingham, Mugford believed he had hit the jackpot last summer by signing at Sale and making a positive Premiership impression early on.

But he is now searching for a new club after Sale declined to take up their option on a second year.

Former Exeter trainee Mugford, 25, told TRP: “It’s so frustrating because I’ve kept working hard to get where I wanted to be. I thought signing for Sale last year was a great step to progressing my game and I began really well.

“I thought I was starting to establish myself but since November they’ve gone with Sam James and AJ McGinty and now I’ve been told I’ll be leaving.

“I was told by (coaches) Paul Deacon and Steve Diamond that I was training well and I’d be given a chance, but it hasn’t worked out that way. I feel I’ve still got a lot to offer at Premiership level but right now I’m struggling to find a new club.”

Mugford, right, accepts he may have to lower his sights, but added: “I still feel I’ve got unfinished business in the top-flight and I won’t go back on that.

“Clubs are doing business later this year and there are still deals to be done, but if I have to drop into the Championship I will. While it’s great to be in a Premiership set-up, my priority is to be playing every week.”