The changes at Aviva Premiership Rugby club Sale Sharks are happening off the field, as well as on, with the club announcing the appointments of NIGEL ASHLEY-JONES and ADAM GRAINGER.

Ashley-Jones (38) will be in charge of player strength and conditioning. He has previously held posts at Rugby League clubs Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors and St.Helens. After linking up with Ellery Hanley at Knowsley Road, Nigel returned to Wigan in 2000 where he worked with both Rugby League and football players.

Australian Nigel moved to work with Steve Diamond at Saracens but his link with the ex-Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell saw him switch to Derby County from December 2007 to October 2009. The Derby manager when he left was Nigel Clough, who was complimentary about the contribution of the strength & conditioning coach, saying, “Nigel has done a good job, has been a valued member of staff and we’ll miss having him around.”

His most recent appointment tied him up again with Steve Diamond, by now in charge of the rise of Rugby Union in Russia, and he follows the Sharks’ Executive Director of Sport to Carrington in readiness for Season 2011-12.

Technical Analyst Adam Grainger has completed four seasons at London Wasps, having previously been with Steve Diamond at Saracens from 2004 to 2007. Belfast-born and bred, Adam is a product of renowned rugby school Campbell College. He spent a year teaching P.E. at Lindisfarne College in Hawkes Bay, NZ, moving from there to London to complete an undergraduate B.Sc (2004) and postgraduate M.Sc (2008)in Sports Science at Brunel University. His analytical work, both of his own club and the opposition, was thoroughly used by the Wasps’ playing personnel and coaching staff.

As a part time lecturer, Adam has lead the creation of the Coaching Practice module at Kingston University and has assisted with course topics on the Fitness Assessment and Dissertation modules. In addition to his work at London Wasps, Adam has been the Sports Scientist for Russian Rugby.

Adam enjoys playing Sevens rugby, golf and watching American football.

Sharks’ Executive Director of Sport Steve Diamond said, “Nigel has a vast knowledge of rugby, of conditioning, and of science. Adam is a most eminent rugby analyst and sports scientist. They’re both going to play vital roles for the club.”