Sale Sharks sign Joe Ford from Leeds Carnegie

Sale have made their eighth new signing ahead of next season, with fly-half Joe Ford joining from Leeds Carnegie.

Ford, who can also play at full-back, impressed in Leeds's Championship play-off semi-final defeat by Newcastle.

The 22-year-old will return to the Premiership after spending the 2010-11 season with Northampton Saints.

Director of rugby Steve Diamond is overseeing a number of changes to the Sale squad as he seeks to improve on their 10th-placed finish in 2012-13.

London Welsh trio Tom Arscott, Kirill Kulemin and Phil Mackenzie will link up with the Sharks next season, as will Michael Paterson (Cardiff Blues), Charlie Walker-Blair (Jersey), Dan Baines (Rotherham) and Andy Forsyth (Leicester).

Ford's younger brother, George, plays for Leicester Tigers and is expected to be involved in their squad for their Premiership final against Northampton at Twickenham on 25 May.