Devereux to spend winters with Sale

JOHN DEVEREUX, the Great Britain and Wales back, has joined the growing number of players who plan to play both rugby league and union over the next 12 months by signing for Sale.

The Courage League One side have agreed a rental arrangement with Widnes to use the 29-year-old former Wales centre's services during the close season for the forthcoming Super League. Sale's chief executive Brian Wilkinson said: "We have agreed to pay Widnes a rental fee but still need to finalise terms with John."

Devereux, who was capped 21 times by Wales between 1986 and 1989 while playing for South Glamorgan Institute and Bridgend before switching codes, has been one of the more successful converts from union to league.

At Sale, he will team up with his former Welsh international team-mate Paul Turner, who is the Cheshire club's player-coach.

Devereux is the second Great Britain international to sign forms with a rugby union team in the last fortnight following the former England wing John Bentley's decision to play for Rotherham of League Three. Jonathan Davies, a former team-mate of Devereux's with both Wales (union and league) and Great Britain, has already crossed the divide and made several appearances for Cardiff this season.

Meanwhile, St Helens expect their new coach, Shaun McRae, to arrive on Wednesday, in time for Saturday's Silk Cut Challenge Cup tie against Castleford. "There is no hitch, but we are in a queue for a work permit," said the club's chief executive, David Howes. McRae, the assistant coach on two Kangaroos' tours, will take over from Eric Hughes, who was sacked last week.

Warrington are also due to make a new appointment this week, but have denied that the former Halifax and Wigan coach, John Dorahy, is their choice.

The former Wigan stand-off and goalkicker, Frano Botica, will make his first appearance for Castleford in the Alliance match against St Helens on Tuesday.

Botica has been given the all-clear to play after recovering from a broken leg. If he comes through safely, he could be in contention to face St Helens.