Sale Sharks have completed the signing of Worcester Warriors tighthead prop Nick ‘Sharky’ Schonert on a three-year deal.
The South African-born 29-year-old becomes Alex Sanderson’s third front-row signing ahead of the 2021/22 season, following the arrivals of Tommy Taylor and Simon McIntyre.
The Sharks Director of Rugby had made increasing his front row options a priority ahead of the new campaign and he says ‘Sharky’ was top of his list.
Alex said: “We’re so excited to welcome Nick to Sale Sharks. He’s been one of the leading props in the Premiership for many years and we can’t wait to see Sharky pull on a Sharks shirt.
“We’ve lost three props so we knew we had to strengthen our front row options. Nick was one of our main targets and we’re confident he has the ability to play a big role for us this season.”
Nick said: “ I’m so excited to be part of such an incredible group here at the Sharks. At the stage I am at in my career I felt that it was the right time for a change in direction and for me to take myself out of my comfort zone.
“When I got the call from Sale in March it felt like the stars had aligned and I genuinely had to pinch myself to check if I wasn’t dreaming.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this squad and just hope I can add value wherever I can.”
Nick Schonert was born in Durban and started his career with the Cell C Sharks, in South Africa’s Currie Cup.
He switched to the Tafel Lager Griquas and then to Toyota Free State Cheetahs before moving to Premiership side Worcester Warriors in 2014.
He represented South Africa at U20 level, but qualifies for England through his grandmother and was called into Eddie Jones’ squad to tour Argentina in 2017.
Unfortunately, he was forced to pull out through injury but he did run out at Twickenham in an England shirt a year later when he was picked to face the Barbarians.
Nick linked up with his new teammates this week for the start of their 2021/22 pre-season training camp.
