The coach of Super Leaguye finalists St Helens, Ian Millward, could be spending the off season helping Sale Sharks with their defence the Manchester-based side has revealed.

Former Leigh Centurions coach, Millward has been a sensation at the rugby league Super League champions since taking over from the deposed Ellery Hanley, now a defensive coach at Bristol, early in the season and steering them to a second successive Grand Final.

A Sharks club spokesman said there was a good chance that Millward could become the latest in a long line of league coaches drafted in by union clubs to sure up their defences.

He would join current saints favourite Appollo Perleini, who will play for Sale after this weekend's Grand Final, although not before the Tetley's Bitter Cup fourth round at the end of this month, and Jason Robinson, whose move from Wigan is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.

Millward has recently found he has more time on his hands during the next month than he had originally anticipated after his shock withdrawal from the Welsh coaching team for the World Cup after the RFL refused to allow him to delay his travel arrangements to South Africa for a pre-tournament tour.

Rugby League coaches already on the Sale coaching staff include former Wigan fitness coach Marty Hulme and full-back Steve Hampson.

Sale were this week reviewing videos of their 26-23 away loss to Auch in the European Shield after a number of players complained that the French side of foul play in a feisty encounter.

Among the accusation were punching, gouging, kicking and even spitting from the crowd. At the end of the game few pleasantries were exchanged between the players, there was not even the customary line-up to applaud the opposing players off.

Sale may decide to take thinks further but, with a return leg still to be played, could decide not to aggravate the situation.

Today Sale's Andy Whittle was banned for two weeks after a bizarre incident when his scrum cap was ripped from his head and, in the ensuing chase he was pole-axed. The Auch player who landed the punch received a four week ban.

Sale's Dan Harris is out for four weeks with a dislocated shoulder.