Sunderland Echo

Ex-England hooker Webber to hang up boots at end of season

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to pursue other opportunit­ies within the game.

"My clubs - Leeds, Wasps, Bath and currently Sale Sharks - have all be been brilliant places to go to work every day. The opportunit­y to play for my country, tour the world and to be involved in a World Cup are career highlights and achievemen­ts I will cherish forever."

Sale rugby director Steve Diamond said: "It's a shame to see Rob leave the club earlier than expected.

"I did everything I could to keep Rob at the club for the final year of his contract, but it was clear he had made his mind up, and as a club we wanted to support his decision to pursue other opportunit­ies within the game.

"In my opinion, Rob has shown the best form of his career while at Sale, and we are unfortunat­e to be losing such an experience­d player at the end of the season.

"I have no doubt that the skill-set he has shown both on and off the pitch at Sale, along with the experience he has in the modern game, will stand him in good stead as he looks to transfer into an offfield role."

*Wasps have announced that rugby director Dai Young is stepping back from firstteam duties "for an interim period" at the Gallagher Premiershi­p club. Former Wales prop Young, 52, has been in charge since 2011.

Wasps are currently ninth in the Premiershi­p, while they made an early exit from this season's European Challenge Cup. Wasps said: "Director of Rugby Dai Young will be stepping back from first-team duties for an interim period.

"Lee Blackett will step up to interim head coach. Further announceme­nts will be made in due course."

 ??  ?? Former England hooker Rob Webber.
Former England hooker Rob Webber.

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