Sharks role too good to resist for League convert Langley

JAMIE LANGLEY has landed a unique job as 's new peak performance coach – and is determined to get the biting even harder next season.

The 37-year-old Rugby League stalwart recently left his position as London Broncos' assistant coach to join Sale and be reunited with former Bradford teammates Mike Forshaw and Paul Deacon.

Langley, a former back rower who along with Forshaw and Deacon helped Bradford to a glorious treble in 2003, recently began a newly-created role at Alex Sanderson's ambitious Sharks.

“The role is peak performance coach and that kind of job hasn't really existed before and doesn't exist anywhere else,” Langley told The Rugby Paper.

“It's a new position, looking at everything from an holistic point of view, and helping the players in any way I can. That could be off-field coaching or on the field – it's about adding value in attack, defence or any other area.”

Langley quit the Broncos at the end of May and began working at Sale on June 1 as they made the play-offs for the first time since winning the title in 2006.

They lost to in the play-off semi-final, but Langley is enjoying working under Sanderson at the cash-rich Sharks.

He explained: “During my time at the Broncos, I actually spent some time down at doing some CPD (continuing professional development) and got to know Al when he was coaching there.

“When Al moved to Sale, he dropped me a line and we had a few conversations about potential opportunities there. That's how it began, but obviously I have got existing relationships with Deacs and Forsh and it's been good to reconnect with those guys.

Switch: Jamie Langley

“I'm working with Al, Deacs, Forsh and just adding value wherever I can really to all the different areas. I think my role will evolve over time.”

Yorkshireman Langley, who won five caps and one for Great Britain, spent five seasons in the capital after moving to London at the end of 2015 to work under then head coach Andrew Henderson. He then worked under Danny Ward and helped the Broncos reach Super League in 2018 before they went down with a record ten wins at the end of the 2019 campaign.

“It's not been an easy decision because I loved the people at London and I love the club,” explained Langley. “However, the opportunity to join Sale was too good to turn down.I'm working with some fantastic people at a fantastic club.”

Sale are heavily backed by wealthy owners Simon Orange and Ged Mason, who want to make Sale a powerhouse of Rugby Union and have plans to buy the AJ Bell Stadium.

Langley added: “The club is going in the right direction. The owners back the club 100 per cent and they have got the training facility at Carrington which is world class.

“If they buy the AJ Bell Stadium as well then the club will just go from strength to strength.”