Irish bolster back row with tyro Shark Nott

LONDON Irish have signed versatile forward George Nott from Sale Sharks.

The Wales-born 23-yearold made 36 appearances for Sale, including 14 in the Premiership since his senior debut in 2015.

Nott, right, played just four games for Sale last season and hopes to make an impression with Irish on their return to the Premiership.

“George is a strong addition and will add to the competition for places,” said director of rugby Declan Kidney.

Hooker Nic Dolly has also left Sale, signing on a season-long loan at Jersey Reds. The 20-year-old arrives as the Reds bid farewell to another hooker, Charlie Maddison, who has signed for Newcastle after just over a year in Jersey.

Sydney-born Dolly, whose mother is English, has progressed rapidly since moving to England in 2016.

While visiting his grandparents in Manchester, he gained an opportunity with Sale and signed a five-year contract in 2017, when he also played for England U18.

In the past two years, Dolly has made four 1st XV appearances for the Sharks, as well as loan spells with Sale FC and Rotherham Titans. Dolly also won nine caps for England U20 earlier this year, featuring in both the Six Nations and Junior World Cup. Dolly will slot into the Reds’ squad as Maddison, briefly a team-mate at Rotherham, heads north to join the Falcons, who are preparing for life in the Championship.

Reds’ director of rugby Harvey Biljon said: “Charlie received an offer from Newcastle, who have ambitions to return to the Premiership. It’s a good opportunity for him and we wish him the best.

“I’m very pleased to have Nic joining us – he is a young player with great promise and I expect this move to be great for him in developing his career.”