Steve Diamond hopeful of Danny Cipriani stay at Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond has revealed that ongoing contract talks with fly-half Danny Cipriani are at a "positive" stage.

The 27-year-old, who joined the club in 2012, is due to be a free agent at the end of the season.

After helping Sale to an 18-11 win over Exeter Chiefs in the Aviva Premiership on Friday, Diamond is hopeful that Cipriani will extend his stay at the AJ Bell Stadium.

"The talks are positive," he told Sky Sports News. "He wants to stay in Manchester, so we'll get round to having a chat in the next week or two and hopefully get it sorted."

Sale are back in action on December 27 when they host Leicester Tigers in the league.