Andrew Sheridan today became the fourth player in 24 hours to leave relegated Bristol Shoguns after agreeing a three-year contract with Sale Sharks.

Sheridan, who has played in the front-row, second-row and back-row for Bristol, follows Garath Archer, Phil Christophers and Alex Brown, whose departures were all announced yesterday.

Archer has rejoined Newcastle, while his fellow England international Christophers will head to Leeds, and Brown is now a Gloucester player.

Sheridan, 23, is one of the physically strongest players in English rugby, standing 6ft 5in tall and weighing close to 20 stone, and is a strong candidate for this summer's England shadow tour to Canada, where Tests will be played against Canada and the United States.

``We have finalised the deal with Andrew and his agent Mike Burton this morning,'' said Sharks coach Jim Mallinder.

``Andrew is still only 23-years-old, and he is the sort of player we have been searching for to add to our squad.''

Sheridan said on www.bristolshogun.co.uk: ``I've had a great time at the club and it's a great city to live in.

``As a club and team we are all great friends and there are a lot of good people at Bristol Shoguns.''

He added: ``I hope Bristol will continue. The fans and everyone have been so passionate during my time here and especially over the last few months and I'm sure they'll be able to replicate that for whatever happens.''

Sharks could utilise Sheridan's skills anywhere in the pack, but it is as a prop where his immediate future would appear to lie.

Bristol's millionaire owner Malcolm Pearce, meanwhile, will today announce his plans following relegation out of English rugby's top flight.

It is thought Pearce will quit to take up a similar role with Bristol's fierce west country rivals Bath, leaving Shoguns in the hands of a local business consortium who aim to guarantee a National League One future for Bristol next season.