Rugby: Manx players selected for Sale Sharks player development system

Initiative aims to identify upcoming talent in the sport

Multiple young Isle of Man rugby players have been selected to be part of this season's Player Development Group (PDG) at Gallagher Premiership side, Sale Sharks.

Five promising local competitors from across three different Island clubs will be part of the latest intake into Sale Sharks' Under-15 PDG setup.

From Douglas Rugby Club, Felix Saxon and Jean Visser are called up; Southern Nomads players, Brayden Kelly and Taylor Kneen will also be involved as will Theo Sayle of Ramsey Rugby Club.

Sale Sharks' PDG structure is the first stage of the club's academy pathway and is 'designed to identify and develop players with the potential to progress towards the professional game.'

Those who are chosen to be part of the initiative will have first been nominated by a club or school before being invited to take part in initital assessments at Sale Sharks' PDG hubs.

Aimed at identifying upcoming talent across the north west of England between Under-14 and Under-16 level, Sale Sharks also describes the system as focusing 'on individual development, not short-term performance' and that 'players selected are not always the most dominant in their age group — they are those who show behaviours that can translate to higher levels of rugby.'

Currently, there are two former Isle of Man players - Bevan Rodd and Patreece Bell - who are now part of the first team setup at the premiership side.