Sale Sharks captain Jono Ross is ready to retire on the finish of this season.
The back-row ahead, who joined Sale in 2017 from French aspect Stade Francais, will return to his native South Africa along with his younger household.
Ross, 32, who has performed greater than 150 video games for the Sharks, has agreed an early launch from his contract.
He mentioned: “I’ll miss operating out on the AJ Bell, however sooner or later your physique tells you when it is time to cease, and for me that point is now.”
Ross instructed the club’s website: “Since becoming a member of the membership in 2017, Sale and Manchester have actually change into a house away from house for my household and I.
“We have now completely beloved our time on the membership and dwelling in Manchester. Each our youngsters can have been born right here so it’s going to perpetually have a particular place in our hearts.”
Ross was appointed captain in 2018, whereas he topped the Premiership’s sort out depend for 3 successive seasons between 2018 and 2020, highlighting him as one of many fiercest rivals within the league.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Jono and through his time on the membership he has epitomised the whole lot Sale Sharks stand for each on and off the pitch,” mentioned Sale’s director of rugby Alex Sanderson.
“Whenever you get to know Jono, you realise he’s a really intelligent bloke. Regardless of the degrees of physicality he affords on the pitch, he is extra than simply muscle.
“His tactical data of the sport is second to none and his emotional intelligence units him aside as a participant which is why he has been our captain for 5 consecutive seasons.”
With one match of the common season to go, Sale are second within the Premiership and have assured themselves a house semi-final within the play-offs on Sunday, 14 Might.