The 24-year-old will join from Exeter Chiefs on an initial one-year deal for the 2026-27 campaign, ending a long association with the Devon club where he made more than 50 appearances and earned all 15 of his Wales caps to date.
For Sanderson, however, the move is about unlocking potential as much as adding depth.
“Christ is really intelligent, powerful, supremely dynamic player, with a back story that tells you a lot about how much his career matters to him,” said the Sharks director of rugby.
“When you understand where he’s come from to become an international rugby player, it strengthens the belief that his best days are ahead of him.
“He’s got so much ability and raw power and hopefully together we can put him back in a Wales shirt and help him fulfil his massive potential.”
Tshiunza, a versatile back-five forward, arrives as part of a growing Welsh contingent at Sale, with Nicky Smith and Tomas Francis also set to join, alongside compatriot Willgriff John already at the club.
The former Exeter forward admitted the physical edge of Sale’s game was a major factor in his decision.
“I’ve played against Sale loads of times and as an opposition player you always know that it’s going to be a really tough, physical game that’ll be won by the pack,” said Tshiunza.
“It’s always the most physical game of the season and that always excited me because I love that side of the game.
“Other teams have a real fear of playing Sale because of that physical challenge and I can’t wait to be on the other side of that.
“When I spoke to Alex Sanderson, he was talking about how he really wanted to compete for the big trophies and that also really excited me. He talked about the plans for the future of the club and it was something that I wanted to be a part of.
“I’m also really looking forward to playing with the other Welsh lads who are joining – Nicky Smith and Tomas Francis – and some of the guys I know from Exeter. I’ve been at Exeter for a long time and I think it’ll be good for me to experience a new environment with new faces and new players to learn from.”
Born in Kinshasa before moving to Cardiff as a child, Tshiunza came through the ranks at Whitchurch High School before breaking into the professional game.
He made his senior debut for Exeter in 2021 and quickly rose through the ranks, earning a Wales call-up later that same year while still a teenager.
He went on to feature at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but injuries have disrupted his progress more recently, limiting his international involvement since late 2024.
Sanderson is convinced that, in the right environment, the forward can rediscover his trajectory and re-establish himself on the Test stage.
With Sale building a squad capable of challenging for major honours, the signing is seen as both a statement of intent and a long-term investment in a player whose ceiling, in Sanderson’s view, remains far from reached.
