RUGBY GIANTS Sale Sharks have announced that they were going to help out with coaching the university's teams.
The rugby squad's first and second teams were set to receive training from the Guinness Premiership team's coaches, as they aim to get the edge over their local rivals.
The link-up represents a major coup for the university, who already thrashed rivals Man Met 51-0 in last year's Varsity showdown.
In return, the Sale club have asked university players to participate in their community projects developing rugby in Greater Manchester schools.
The Sharks were looking to take the best of the university's rugby players and enlist them to play for their academy side. Ex-students Christian Day, Glen Townsend and Andy Vilk are already on Sale's books.
Peter Filson, The University of Manchester Rugby Club chairman told Student Direct: "This is a great opportunity for us, we will be benefiting from the very best coaching, particularly for the clubs prop forwards and number nines who have already worked with specialist coaches for those positions.
"It also brings a greater degree of professionalism to rugby at The University of Manchester, as well as offering greater opportunities for any players hoping to develop a professional career, displaying them better in the shop window as it were."
The players themselves are highly optimistic that the initiative will be a success.
First team captain Ed Syace said: "The guys are really looking forward to the opportunity to work with coaches on their specific positions, the initial sessions with the prop forwards and number nines have been a great success."
Sale Sharks are currently 5th in their league and feature international players Sebastian Chabal and Andrew Sheridan.
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