Manchester United and City have notably built up squads containing sportsmen from abroad, but rugby union team Sale Sharks also have a special one of their own in Russian Ostrikov.

Despite winning three league games in a row going into Saturday’s match, Sale were unable carry their good form into Europe losing 19-15 courtesy of tries from Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola.

A win on Tyneside against Newcastrle on Sunday in round nine would move Sale closer to director of rugby Steve Diamond’s Christmas points target and strengthen their claim for a top six place.

Captain Dan Braid scored the only try of the match just over 10 minutes from time, after both sides traded penalties, to give Sale a 16-12 win at Twickenham Stoop.

Sale, without an away win all season, go into round eight looking to get back on track after throwing away leads in two of their last five matches in all competitions.

England suffered a fifth straight defeat at the hands of world champions New Zealand on Saturday, going down 24-21 at Twickenham as once again the Red Rose fell just short against the world’s number one side.

After six years in the international wilderness, Sale’s Danny Cipriani appeared to be on the road to redemption after being selected by England head coach Stuart Lancaster for the tour of New Zealand in June before his autumn internationals omission

The Sharks will be hoping to build upon last season’s sixth-place finish, considered by many to be something of an over-achievement having narrowly avoided relegation the year before, as they take on Bath on Saturday.

Lund has played the last six seasons in France for Biarritz but made his Sharks debut in 2002 and helped the team win the championship four years later.

Christchurch-born Paterson played for an England XV against the Barbarians at the start of the month and England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster has decided to add the former Hurricane as cover.

Diamond’s men flirted with relegation last season though a much-improved 2013-14 brought Sale a sixth-place finish and European rugby again in 2014-15