Three new signings for Yorkshire Carnegie

Sale Sharks fly-half Joe Ford has rejoined Carnegie on a two-year contract. Ford has already made 63 appearances for the club during two previous spells and has spent the last three seasons in the Aviva Premiership turning out 47 times for Sale.

Carnegie head coach Bryan Redpath said: “Joe is obviously someone who knows our club very well having had two previous spells here. He has been a regular in the Sharks squad for the last three seasons and has played in some big games. Having worked with him, I know his qualities and I am looking forward to having him back at the club.”

Accomplished goal kicker Alex Davies joins on a two-year contact from Ealing Trailfinders. Davies has played in the Aviva Premiership with London Welsh, amassing 572 points for the Exiles in 77 appearances.

Redpath is confident that Davies will prove to be a good option in the Carnegie back line. He added: “Alex Davies can play 9 or 10 and has come with a real team mentality. He can blend play between the forwards and backs and offers us another option as a goal kicker. He is a good tactical kicker out of hand and is a composed place kicker under pressure.”

2015 RPA Sevens player of the year Alex Gray is also set to join once his England Sevens commitments end in the summer on a one-year contract. The former back rower will switch to centre for Carnegie after developing his game in international Sevens.

Redpath is exited by the prospect of Gray slotting in at centre for Carnegie. He said: “Alex Gray was originally a back rower but he has been involved with the England Sevens squad for a couple of years and we see him as an inside centre. He is someone who can bring that physicality as a big ball carrier to our side and also bring his offloading skills in our team.

“He was a back rower at Newcastle and I think he is coming into an age now when he wants to give that centre role a chance. I know there was a Premiership team that were looking at him as an option at centre and I am excited about the possibilities he offers us for next season.

“With his skill set, awareness of the contact area and his fitness levels from the Sevens game, I think he will be a great addition to the options we already have in the backs.”

Carnegie have also confirmed that fly-half Harry Leonard will be leaving the club this summer.