Chandler Cunningham-South, the explosive 22-year-old England back-rower, is reportedly attracting attention from multiple clubs, with Sale Sharks emerging as a prime suitor. This follows the impressive signing of Nathan Jibulu from Harlequins earlier this season, and it seems the Sharks are looking to further bolster their forward pack. However, Cunningham-South, whose current contract with Harlequins is set to expire at the end of the season, remains a key player for Quins, and securing his future is now a priority for their coaching staff.
Harlequins’ new head coach, Jason Gilmore, has been very vocal about his desire to retain Cunningham-South, acknowledging the tough challenge ahead. With the talented back-rower’s contract expiring soon, Gilmore knows that other clubs, including Sale, will be keen to make a move. Gilmore, who took over as Senior Coach after Danny Wilson’s sudden departure to join the Welsh national team, has admitted that Cunningham-South is “going to be in high demand.”
“He’s obviously going to be a player that people want, isn’t he? When he’s off contract, he’s going to be in high demand. If I was at an outside club, I’d be looking at him as well. There aren’t too many players built with his power,” Gilmore said.
The Australian coach praised Cunningham-South’s raw potential, emphasizing his physical attributes and his rapidly developing skill set. “He’s raw, but he’s learning, and his ceiling is so high still. We definitely want to keep him. He’s a really big part of our team,” Gilmore added. “Hopefully, he feels comfortable at the club, and he can see that we can develop him, but he’s definitely going to be in high demand.”
Despite his desire to keep the young forward, Gilmore is still relatively new to his role at The Stoop and is yet to be involved in the behind-the-scenes discussions about Cunningham-South’s future. “I’ve only just got my feet under the desk,” Gilmore admitted. “I don’t know what’s going on in the background, but I’ll definitely be catching up with our recruitment department to see where that’s sitting.”
On the other side, Sale Sharks’ director of rugby, Alex Sanderson, has confirmed that Cunningham-South is on their radar. While Sanderson denied making any formal approach to the player yet, he did acknowledge that the back-rower’s style of play fits perfectly with the aggressive, forward-focused game Sale wants to implement.
“There’s a few players we’re talking to for next year,” Sanderson said. “Any good back-rower – and it all depends on our own retention – we’ll get in touch and have a chat with. Chandler’s numbers are up there, and he’s definitely someone we’ve been looking at.”
Sanderson emphasized the importance of carrying dominance in Sale’s game strategy, a trait that Cunningham-South possesses in abundance. “How we play the game, we’re looking at carry dominance as being a major feature. Chandler’s ability in that area is impressive,” Sanderson added.
While rumors of a potential move continue to swirl, it’s clear that both clubs are preparing for a tough battle to secure the talented England international. With Cunningham-South’s form and growing reputation, the 22-year-old’s future remains uncertain, and his next career move will be closely watched by the rugby world.
Cunningham-South, who earned his 17th England cap during the summer tour to Argentina and the USA, joined Harlequins from London Irish two years ago and quickly became a key figure in their back row. His powerful carrying and physical presence have made him one of the standout players in the Gallagher Premiership, and his potential departure is a major talking point.
As Harlequins work hard to secure his services for the long term, all eyes will be on the discussions between Cunningham-South and the club’s recruitment team. Sale Sharks, for their part, will be waiting to see if they can land one of the most promising forwards in the Premiership.
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