Mark Wilson leaves Sale Sharks with immediate effect

The 30-year-old will now return to the North East for the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership campaign.

The move didn't really work out with the flanker making just three appearances for the club prior to lockdown due to an injury suffered at the 2019 World Cup.

The England flanker made an initial call-up for his country against the Barbarians, before making a long-awaited test debut in the 2-0 series win over Argentina in 2017.

In 2018, Wilson was selected as part of the summer tour to South Africa where he came off the bench in the second and third Tests, and proved he can hang with the best in the world. He was at it again for England in the November internationals, where staunch performances earned him Man of the Series.

That form continued into the Six Nations where he featured in all of England’s games. He played in three games at the 2019 Rugby World Cup as England reached the final against South Africa.

Subscribe for breaking rugby news, competitions and much, much more...

We’ve gone from the inception of the Premiership in 1997/98 because, as you all know, that’s when club rugby ‘started’.

This loan move seemed to make perfect sense, but due to a number of factors it hasn't really worked out. Undergoing knee surgery immediately following the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Sharks fans didn't see him debut until a 30 minute cameo against Saracens in early February. Recalled by Eddie Jones for the Six Nations after making just one start for Sale, his loan expires on June 30. After that date, he is due to return to Newcastle and can no longer play for Sale if the season were to be extended into July.

This signing had every Sale fan very excited with the Scottish powerhouse penning a three-year contract. However, never had such a big man, done so little. The giant Scot would only stay for one season, playing 16 underwhelming matches, scoring 1 try before joining French club Castres.

There was a lot of excitement when Charnley dumped rugby league, leaving Warrington, where he'd scored 42 tries in 57 games, to sign for Sale. However, the speedster was not able to repeat his scoring success in Rugby Union that he enjoyed in Rugby League, scoring a meagre four tries in 32 games. A disappointment.

Another winger who didn't live up to the hype. He joined from Newcastle on a two-year contract. however, his contract was cancelled when he was banned for 18 weeks for biting Denis Leamy in a Heineken Cup game against Munster. As a result, the powerhouse winger had his contract terminated after scoring zero tries in his five appearances.

The Scotland full-back joined Sale ahead of the 2001/02 season but damaged knee ligaments in training and never featured. He was released from the playing staff in the summer but stayed on in a coaching capacity.