Titterrell returns to Sale as duo move to Leeds

Scrum-half Will Cliff, 23, and centre Jordan Davies, 21, meanwhile, move to join the Championship side.

Titterrell was a Premiership winner with the Sharks during his first spell at the club between 2000 and 2007 and will move back to Edgeley Park on loan until the end of January. He will then return to Leeds Carnegie ahead of the Championship play-offs.

Cliff and Davies will join up with Leeds with immediate effect for the remainder of the season and could be part of the squad for this Saturday’s final pool game in the British & Irish Cup at Pontypridd.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly as Andy is a huge part of our club and where we want to be in the future.

“However, we recognise the fact that we have an excellent relationship with Sale and the fact that Andy would have no interest in playing for any other Premiership club other than the Sharks, who he still has a close bond with.”

Leeds already have Tommy Bell and Iain Thornley on loan from Sale for the season.

Titterrell, who made 122 Premiership appearances for the Sharks in his first spell at the club, said: “This was a very difficult decision to make because we are building something special at Leeds Carnegie.

“However, I know the relationship with Sale is an important one for the club and I am looking forward to returning to the Sharks until the end of January. We have always said our focus is on finishing the season strongly at Leeds and hopefully I will be able to contribute on my return as we look for our immediate promotion back to the Premiership.”