Sale Sharks are thought to be closing in on the signature of former All Blacks flanker Dan Braid. The Premiership strugglers revealed this week that they were trailing an ex-New Zealand international who they hoped would bolster their survival efforts but would not be drawn on their identity. However, it has since emerged that Braid could be poised for a Premiership switch having failed to secure a new Super Rugby contract with the Auckland-based Blues earlier this month.