Cumbria's Will Addison will leave Sale Sharks in the summer to take up a new challenge with Ulster.

The 25-year-old, from King’s Meaburn, near Penrith, has spent almost a decade with the Sharks.

He has been in regular talks with director of rugby Steve Diamond about an option he had in his contract to pursue his career in Ireland, with the centre having Irish qualification through his family.

Following those talks, Addison has decided that he will stand a better chance of achieving his ambition of playing international rugby by moving to the Pro 14 side.

A product of the Sale Academy, the former England Under-20s star made his first-team debut for the Sharks in 2011 and has gone on to make more than 100 appearances for the club, scoring over 150 points, and he was appointed captain for the 2017/18 campaign.

Diamond said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Will. He has captained the side this season and the enthusiasm and desire he brings will be missed.

“We all wish him well in his desire to play international rugby.”