Thornley: In action for Sale against Leeds last season

With Leeds now in the Championship, an agreement has been reached for a number of Sale players to take dual registration.

The first player involved will be 19-year-old centre Iain Thornley with other expected to follow.

Sale's executive director of sport Steve Diamond said: "We are really pleased to be announcing this tie-up with Leeds.

"We now have a superb partner club where our young players can develop in a quality environment during the 2011-12 season.

"Players like Iain Thornley are the future of Sale Sharks but with a shortened 'A' League programme of only five games this year, he might not have got as much game time as he needed this season.

"The quality of rugby offered in the Championship is ideal for young players like Iain Thornley and several others we currently have. The dual registration rules mean we can call the players back to Sale as required but the important factor is that they get to play week in, week out rugby at a high level which will accelerate their development."

Diamond added that more players were likely to follow Thornley across the Pennines once Sale welcome back several players from the World Cup in November.

"Once the Rugby World Cup is over, we will be looking to place more players at Leeds on loan or via dual registration as our squad will be boosted by the return of a number of internationals.

"That's when I see this arrangement with Leeds really bearing fruit for both clubs but particularly for the players involved."

Leeds' chief executive Gary Hetherington described the deal as "exciting" and added: "We have certain requirements within our squad for this season and this arrangement allows us to bring in quality individuals who will fit in with our ethos."