Sharks boss 'removed'

An unprecedented seven-game losing streak at the start of the season has cost Bryan Redpath his job as Sale Sharks' Director of Rugby.

The BBC reported that Redpath has already been removed from the position.

The team has suffered their worst ever Premiership start, losing all seven of their top flight matches so far.

Their victory over Cardiff Blues in their opening game of the European Cup remains their only win of the season.

However, ex-Gloucester coach Redpath, who spent five years as a player with Sale, remains an employee of the rugby club.

A Sale spokesman told BBC Sport: "I've spoken to one of the owners and Bryan Redpath has not left the club. He is still an employee of the club."

Chief executive Steve Diamond is expected to take temporary charge of team affairs, while former All Blacks coach John Mitchell, currently with the club as a consultant, is expected to join full time in due course.

The result of Mitchell's arbitration hearing, in his dispute with the Golden Lions Rugby Union in South Africa, is expected to come to a conclusion this week.

Redpath, 41, won 60 caps for Scotland between 1993 and 2000.

He joined Sale in 2000 and after ending his playing career in 2005, joined Gloucester as backs coach. He was promoted to head coach in 2009 following the departure of former England international Dean Ryan.

He resigned as Gloucester coach in April after four successive defeats and was appointed as the Sale boss less than two months later, signing a four-year contract.