The four clubs still in the running to sign former England fullback Mike Brown

Brown, who has already revealed he will pursue a career as an agent when he hangs up his boots, is being lined up as a potential replacement for Simon Hammersley at Sale after the fullback quit.

Alex Sanderson will offer Brown the opportunity to stay in the Premiership when it looked more than likely he’d be stepping down to the Championship with Ealing.

The Rugby Paper reports that the 36-year-old is a top target for the ambitious Championship side.

Former teammate Ugo Monye believes that Worcester Warriors would be the perfect next club with Steve Diamond looking to stamp his flavour on the team at Sixways.

“I think Worcester would be a great fit for Browny (Mike Brown) with what Diamond is trying to build down there. That wouldn’t surprise me.”

A return to Harlequins has also been mooted, but ruck sources suggest that would be very unlikely.

There have been talks in France that Brown could join former Quins teammate Harry Sloan in France's second division.