Sale Sharks have confirmed that former player-coach John Mitchell has taken a full-time coaching role with the club.

The club have made the move in order to overcome a disappointing start to the season which has seen them occupy bottom spot in the Aviva Premiership.

"I back myself in these situations and I back my people that I work with. I've never been afraid of difficult challenges," Mitchell told the club's official website.

"Some of my mates think I'm mad and that I should sit back and wait for a Test team, but at the end of the day rugby is in my blood and I think this challenge is something that stimulates me because of the situation that Sale Sharks are in."

Sale have won only one of their first nine league matches this season.