Sale to sign forwards Mark Easter and Kris Chesney

Mark Easter is the younger brother of England international Nick

Northampton Saints number eight Mark Easter is to join Premiership rivals Sale Sharks on a two-year deal.

The Swaziland-born 28-year-old, brother of England forward Nick, has scored 15 tries in 113 games for the Saints, since his 2005 switch from Nottingham.

Sale have also signed veteran former Saracens forward Kris Chesney from Toulon on a two-year deal.

That means the 37-year-old linking up with old Sarries coach Steve Diamond, Sale's executive director of rugby.

"I had the pleasure of working with Kris when I was in charge at Saracens," said Diamond.

"He has a great work ethic, is good in the line-out and is a very tough uncompromising player.

"He has been playing well for Toulon since his move to France last year. This is another piece of my jigsaw completed with lots more signings to come."

As for Easter, Diamond said: "He hasn't had the starts he wanted at Franklin's Gardens and was looking for a new start.

"He will fit in well when he joins us at the end of the season."