WHARFEDALE have signed England under-21 international Martin Halsall on loan from Sale following the departure of long-serving prop Craig Ingram, who is moving back to his roots in Shropshire (writes Mike Crowther).

The 21-year-old Halsall, who has been on the fringe of the first team squad for the Premiership side over the last two seasons, is named as a replacement for the Greens' trip to Henley tomorrow.

Wharfedale are hoping that the deal will see Halsall stay at the Avenue for the rest of the season. But that could change if he is needed by Sale, particularly if their squad becomes stretched during the Six Nations in February and March.

The Blackpool-born prop has made seven first-team appearances, mainly from the bench, including an appearance in the 2004 Wild Card Final against Leicester for a place in the Heineken Cup.

The deal was set in place by former Wharfedale player Dan Harrison - son of chairman of rugby Mike - who has links with the Sale Academy through his position at Sedbergh School.

Coach John Lawn said: "Hopefully both parties will benefit from the arrangement. Martin has been doing well for Sale's A team and I believe they rate him quite highly.

"He is a smashing lad and, though I have not seen him play, if his size is anything to go by, he looks a good acquisition."

Weighing in at just short of 18 stone, he will certainly add plenty of bulk to the Wharfedale pack. Halsall has also played for England Schools at under-16 and under-18 level.

The arrival of a player with genuine pedigree is a boost for Dale, who, with the departure of Craig Ingram, have lost one of their stalwarts of recent years.

Ingram made 93 league starts for the Greens and, as part of the club's policy of rotatating their props, 76 appearances as a replacement.