Mel Deane a Quin

Mel Deane
By Sarah Braide
February 27 2003

Mel Deane has left Sale to join Harlequins on loan until the end of the season. This season's new signing, Graeme Bond, has settled in at 13 and recently Dan Harris has been first choice at 12, so Mel hasn't been getting many starts. A further year's contract is due to follow this loan period.

But this does mean a lack of cover at centre, even with Charlie's new found experience there.

Mel joined Sale in 2000 from Connaught. He toured New Zealand with Ireland last year but has never really broken into the team, to the puzzlement of plenty of Sale fans. This season he has managed 14 appearances for Sale but that includes coming off the bench - a position he's found himself in a lot. He faces quite a challenge joining Harlequins who are really struggling to climb out of the bottom half of the league. But there's nothing wrong with a challenge and I am sure he will bring enormous benefit to Quins - perhaps preventing any more 45-0 whitewashes.