Sale Sharks have confirmed that versatile forward Josh Beaumont has signed a one-year contract extension with the club. The 31-year-old has made over 160 appearances for the Sharks, and has committed his future to Alex Sanderson’s side for the 2023/24 campaign.
Beaumont made his Sale debut in the 2013 Heineken Cup against Montpellier, and came off the bench in the Sharks latest match. Beaumont featured in Sale’s Premiership Final defeat against Saracens, as the Sharks reached their first Premiership Final since 2006.
After a series of injuries, Beaumont has struggled for first team consistency in recent seasons. The powerhouse forward discussed his retirement speculation with the official Sale Sharks website, and his plans for the upcoming season.
“If I think back 18 months I really thought I might have signed my last contract with the club,” he said. “I tore my hamstring after coming back from a serious knee injury and I wasn’t sure whether I’d play again. I was really fighting to stay on.
“I wanted to get back playing and I had loads of support from Alex (Sanderson) and the rest of the coaches. I told Alex I still felt like I could play an important role in the team and the squad, but I never imagined I’d play 26 games and we’d have such a successful season.
“I think the environment at the club now is so special – on and off the pitch – and that was a massive part in wanting to come back and get playing. If I’d have got those injuries eight years ago it might have been easier to either pack it in or move somewhere else.
“But we’re building something special here and I want to stay and be a big part of it. The squad we’ve got has so much potential but I’m also really passionate about growing the club and the game in the region. I’m a Lancashire lad so the Northern Rugby Matters campaign really means a lot.”
Beaumont discussed the heartache of missing out on bringing the Premiership trophy to Greater Manchester. The Premiership Final defeat was a tough loss to take, but he believes that the squad are motivated to do one better for the 2023/24 Premiership season.
“We were all gutted,” he said. “Especially because we were leading in the second half and felt like we were in control of the game at that point.
“But it was a completely new experience for loads of our young players and on reflection, it’s been a really successful season for the club, and we’ve got a lot to be excited about for the season ahead.
“The club has always been a great place for young players. It’s always felt like somewhere they could get opportunities and you only have to look at this season with guys like Joe Carpenter coming through to know that’s still happening now.
“We had a great squad when I broke through with guys like Gray and Cipriani, but it just feels different now. Alex has brought consistency and clarity to our game and he’s really brought everyone together. As a player you know that if you put in the work, you’ll get the backing and the rewards.
“He’s challenged me and at this stage of my career that’s what I need.
“Off the field, everyone at the club from the players to the coaches, the commercial and community staff and the owners, is pulling in the same direction.”