Leeds loan skipper Andy Titterrell back to Sale Sharks

Titterrell played 122 games in seven years in his last stay at Sale

Leeds skipper Andy Titterrell is to return to Sale until the end of January in a swap deal that sees Will Cliff and Jordan Davies move the other way.

Scrum-half Cliff and centre Davies will join up with Leeds for the rest of the season and are available for Saturday's British & Irish Cup game at Pontypridd.

Titterrell could make his Sale debut against French side Agen on Sunday.

But he is due back at Headingley in time for Leeds' expected appearance in the Championship play-offs.

Titterrell was part of Sale's Premiership-winning team in 2006, making 122 Premiership appearances in seven years.

"This was a very difficult decision to make because we are building something special at Leeds," said Titterrell.

"I know the relationship with Sale is an important one for the club and I am looking forward to returning to the Sharks until the end of January."

Leeds sit seventh in the table and chief executive Gary Hetherington said: "This is not a decision we have taken lightly.

"Andy is a huge part of our club and where we want to be in the future.

"However, we recognise the fact that we have an excellent relationship with Sale and the fact that Andy would have no interest in playing for any other Premiership club other than the Sharks, who he still has a close bond with.

"We already have Tommy Bell and Iain Thornley on loan from Sale for the entire season. Both players have been outstanding for us and the addition of Will Cliff and Jordan Davies will strengthen our squad in key positions for our promotion push in the new year."