Scotland lock Iain Fullarton has joined Sale Sharks as Zurich Premiership clubs continue to reshuffle their squads in readiness for next season.

Gloucester have signed New Zealand flanker Carl Houston - coach Philippe Saint-André's eighth signing of the summer after Patrice Callazo, Alessandro Stoica, Ludovic Mercier, Federico Pucciarelo, Koli Sewabu, Dimitri Yachvilly and Diego Albanese

The Kingsholm club beat off competition from Bath to secure the services of the 26-year-old Wakefield player.

"I have been waiting for this for a long time because it has always been a dream to be a professional rugby player," said Houston.

"I just knew I would make it one day. The thought of playing with the likes of Andy Hazell and Kingsley Jones is really exciting."

Fullarton played for the Scotland XV as a replacement against the Barbarians two weeks ago and won his two Scottish caps against New Zealand on his country' s tour last year. On that tour he played in all seven matches.

Raised in Edinburgh, Fullarton attended the famous Merchiston Castle School in the city and represented Scottish Schools before attending Aberdeen University where he graduated in Land Economy.

Fullarton turned professional in 1997 and has played for Edinburgh Reivers for the last three seasons, picking up Scotland Under-21 honours and nine Scotland A caps along the way.

Northampton have signed "unknown" New Zealand-born front-row prop Chris Budgen from Birmingham Solihull.

Budgen, who qualifies as a European player thanks to his English grandparents, has previously played for Bridgend and Newbridge in Wales but it was his performances at Birmingham which earned him a chance with Saints.

Saint's director of rugby John Steele said: "Chris is an unknown in the rugby world but was one of the few tighthead props that could stand up to Northampton's former prop Garry Pagel last season."

Saracens earlier announced the signing of France forward Abdel Benazzi on a two-year deal.