Aviva Premiership
Sale sign lock Hines
ESPN Staff
January 20, 2014
Hines will bring vast international experience with him to Sale © Getty Images
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Sale Sharks have confirmed the signing of former Scotland lock Nathan Hines on a two-year deal.

Hines, who will join the club from Clermont Auvergne at the conclusion of the current season, has 77 Scottish caps to his name and featured in all four of the national team's games at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The 37-year-old retired from international duty at the conclusion of the competition but has remained a key part of Clermont's side since.

The Australian-born lock, who stands at 6ft 7in, has enjoyed spells at Gala, Edinburgh, Perpignan, Leinster - where he won the Heineken Cup in 2010 - and current club Clermont since emigrating to the UK in 1999. He joined the touring party of the 2009 British & Irish Lions but did not feature in any of the Tests.

Sale have had mixed success with player contracts this season - with Dwayne Peel, Henry Thomas and James Gaskell all set to depart at the end of the season but the likes of Mark Cueto and Tom Brady committing to stay at the club. Sale boss Steve Diamond is convinced the capture of Hines can be a boost to the entire team.

"Nathan is a world class player and will fit in well with us at Sale Sharks. He has vast experience playing at the highest level and is a regular starter at Clermont," Diamond said.

Last weekend he was magnificent in helping his team beat Racing Paris. The forwards at Sale Sharks have played well this season and adding Nathan to the group will be a big boost to us."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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