Nathan Jibulu signs with Sale Sharks from Harlequins

Sale Sharks have agreed a deal to sign Harlequins hooker Nathan Jibulu on a long-term contract from the start of the 2025/26 season. 

The 22-year-old, who came through the Quins academy, has made nine appearances this season, including seven in the Gallagher Premiership. 

He’s also played six times for England’s under 20s, including during the 2023 World Championship, and was part of the England A squad for the fixture against Australia in November. 

Speaking after signing his contract, Nathan said he’d always been attracted to the Sharks mentality and style of play. 

He said: “When I was younger, whenever someone asked me, ‘what team would you want to play for?’ I’d always say Sale. 

“I love how the team plays and the mentality around the club. I like the toughness and the attitude that we’re going to run over you physically, and it’s going to be relentless for 80 minutes. 

“I love those games where you go toe-to-toe physically, so all of that attracted me straight away, and then speaking to people who are there already, they said all the stuff that I really like so it was a no brainer when the opportunity came about.” 

Nathan will have plenty of familiar faces when he arrives at Carrington, having shared England age grade dressing rooms with some of his future Sharks teammates. 

But there’s one young Sale prop in particular that he’s looking forward to sharing a front-row with. 

He added: “I’ve played with Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Nye Thomas, Tristan Woodman, Alex Wills, Tom Burrow, Tumy Onasanya and Asher Opoku-Fordjour. 

“I’ve scrummed a lot with Asher and I got to know him pretty well. I always tell him how special and different he is, and I can’t wait to play with him. 

“The way the club has developed him and nurtured him to become an established Premiership and England player speaks volumes about the coaching and the support that he’s getting at Sale.  

“The entire front row is in the England squad, with the Curry boys too, so that tells you that someone at the club is doing something right. I looked at that and I said, ‘why would you not want to be there?’ 

“I can’t wait to come and make Manchester my home for a long time. The potential in this squad is massive and I think we can win some big trophies.” 

Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said: “Nathan is really driven, he understands what he wants from his life and his career, and he knows how he’s going to get it. 

“He’s a young lad but he’s incredibly mature and he’s got the game and the physical attributes to match.  

“I’ve got no doubt he’ll play for England in the future and we’re really excited to bring him to the club.”