Sale Sharks sign Xavier Roe

Sale Sharks have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated Gallagher Chiefs and New Zealand scrum-half Xavier Roe.

The 27-year-old, who is officially uncapped but played for the All Blacks XV against the Barbarians and Uruguay on their 2025 tour, has signed a two-year deal.

He’ll join up with Alex Sanderson’s squad along with a host of exciting new signings for the 2026/27 season.

Xavier said: “I’ve been at the Chiefs for a long time and I’m at a stage in my career where I want to try something new. I want to experience a new environment, new players and another country and I can’t wait to get started at an awesome club like Sale Sharks.

“I know Sale has a very good forward pack, which is great for a scrum-half, but I was really impressed with what Alex said about the way the club has a real family feel off the field.

“I like to think I’m a game driver and I know how to put the team in the right areas of the pitch. I think when I was younger I was a running half-back but I’ve learned the importance of giving the forwards a platform so they can do their thing.

“There are so many fantastic international players at Sale and I can’t wait to get going.”

Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said: “Xavier will bring real quality to the squad. He’s maybe not a player all of our fans will know too much about but if you scratch below the surface of the current All Blacks squad, he’s right there and you don’t get there unless you’re absolute quality.

“His delivery is excellent and his ability to be the bridge between the forwards and backs is excellent, as is his kicking game and his decision-making.

“It’s a big move for him and a big commitment to come over, but we’re getting him at the peak of his powers and we’re really exciting to get him here to see what he can do.”

Xavier grew up in Pauanui and came through the renowned Hamilton Boys’ High School system, starting his rugby journey as a fly-half before transitioning to scrum‑half.

He began his career at Taranaki and then, in 2020, moved to the Waikato Mooloos, where he has gone on to make more than 50 appearances.

At Super Rugby level, Xavier has played more than 50 times for the Chiefs, having debuted against the Highlanders in 2021. He has scored seven tries and featured in the 2024 and 2025 final defeats.       

On the international stage, he played for New Zealand at the 2018 U20 World Cup, making four appearances and scoring against Wales and Japan as New Zealand finished fourth.

In late 2025, Xavier was called into the full All Blacks squad by coach Scott Robertson as injury cover during The Rugby Championship. Roe also represented the All Blacks XV on their 2025 tour, starting and scoring against the Barbarians while also playing against Uruguay.