BULLS legend Paul Deacon has joined Aviva Premiership outfit Sale Sharks as attack/skills coach with immediate effect.

The former half-back has been a member of the Wigan coaching staff for four years since retiring from playing in 2011 and also works as assistant to Steve McNamara with the England team.

A former Great Britain and England international, Deacon spent the majority of his playing career at Odsal, making 324 appearances for the club.

He joined Wigan Warriors – where he won the 2010 Grand Final and 2011 Challenge Cup – and will now become reunited with another former Bradford star in Mike Forshaw, who works as Sale’s defensive coach.

The 36-year-old Deacon, who spent 11 years at Bradford, said: “I would like to thank everyone at Wigan who has helped me as a player and as a coach throughout my time at the club.

“It really was a dream come true to play and then coach my hometown club and I have enjoyed every minute.

“I want so say a special thank you to Wigan coach Shaun Wane who has helped me immensely with transition from player to coach and for the way he has dealt with this news.

 “Joining Sale Sharks is an opportunity that I felt I couldn't turn down and I am looking forward to learning a new game and the challenges that will bring.”

Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond revealed Deacon was the obvious choice for the role once the club had completed a comprehensive recruitment process.

He said: “Since Bryan Redpath left the club we have interviewed potential replacements from all over the world but Paul was the stand out candidate.

“He has played at the top level in rugby league and will bring with him everything we have been looking for in attack, skills, place kicking and kicking from hand.

“Paul played alongside Mike Forshaw at Bulls and won every honour in the game. Paul will start with us immediately and the whole squad are looking forward to working with him.”