Premiership
An open letter to our supporters
Dear Sharks Family,
We wanted to write to you together today because we need your help, and because we’re both fiercely passionate about our game and want to see it grow across our region. It’s a game for everyone and since we picked up a ball for the first time as kids, it’s given us so much.
We both cut our teeth on the cold, wet pitches of the north – whether that’s northern England or North Wales. Playing on freezing cold winter’s mornings, banging knobbly knees, getting chilblains in the bath or standing on the sidelines at our local club being inspired to pick up a ball by watching our siblings play. That’s what northern rugby is all about to us.
From the muddy pitches of Littleborough to the Fylde coast, and fun runs around Hollingworth Lake to growing up in North Wales and playing senior rugby at Widnes as a teenager, we’ve loved the unity and friendship that is unique to northern rugby.
Rugby gives you a sense of camaraderie, discipline, fearlessness, humility and togetherness that you just don’t find anywhere else. We want this club to be a place where people from all over the north can find those values and rekindle those feelings.
Northern rugby is our lifeblood – our Shark blood – and it’s given us our values and the love we have for this wonderful game. It’s special, and it’s why we’re so proud to lead Sale Sharks’ women’s and men’s teams.
But we know that we have some big challenges in our region.
That’s why we’re writing this letter, to ask you to take all the passion you have and get stuck in to help us build a women’s team here at Sale Sharks that the north can truly be proud of by supporting our crowdfunding efforts.
Since we set up Sale Sharks Women in 2019, the team has proudly flown the flag for the north at the top level of women’s rugby in England. We’re really blessed here, to have owners who share our passion for the game, but going into next season, we want to make sure the women’s team can stand on its own two feet.
So here it is. Whether you’re part of the Sharks Family already, a club partner or a local business or you just want to help support northern rugby, this is your chance to get involved and support our club and women’s rugby in the north.
Thank you,
Rachel Taylor – Women’s Performance Coach Alex Sanderson – Director of Rugby
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Sale Sharks have agreed a deal to sign Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu from French Top14 side Toulon.
The explosive centre, who starred for his country during the recent World Cup, has signed a one-year contract with an option for a further year.
He will join up with Alex Sanderson’s Sharks squad ahead of the start of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season.
Waisea, 33, said: “I’ve watched the Premiership for a long time and it’s always been in the back of my mind that I would love to play there one day and experience rugby in England.
“Now that opportunity has arrived and I’m really, really happy and grateful. I’m so excited to get over there and join the boys and see how I can contribute to the team.
“I have spoken to Telusa Veainu and he only has positive things to say about the club and about Manchester.
“I’m looking forward to playing with some of the guys I’ve played against, like Tom Curry and George Ford. But I also know there are a lot of really talented young players in the Sale Sharks squad and I’m excited to share my experience and help them develop as much as I can.
“I told Alex that it’s what I’ve been doing for the last few years of my career and it’s something I’m passionate about.”
Nayacalevu, who stands at 6’4” and weighs in at 16st 7lb, spent ten years at Top14 side Stade Français before making the switch to Toulon in 2022.
He has won 34 caps for Fiji, slotting in at both centre and on the wing, and captained his country at last year’s World Cup, where the Pacific Islanders made the quarter-finals, losing 30-24 to England in Marseille.
He also famously scored for Fiji in their memorable pre-World Cup win against England at Twickenham.
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Phil Brantingham to join Saracens
Prop-forward Phil Brantingham will leave Newcastle Falcons in the summer to join Saracens.
The 22-year-old has played 25 games for his home town club, and leaves with the thanks and best wishes of everyone at the Falcons.
Chairman of rugby Matt Thompson said: “Phil has done well for us and we made him a good offer to stay here.
“We respect his decision and wish him all the best for his move in the summer, but between now and then he will be fully committed to finishing the season strongly for Newcastle Falcons.”
Source – Newcastle Falcons Rugby
Sale Sharks can confirm that forward Cobus Wiese will leave the club at the end of the season to return to South Africa.
The 26-year-old lock has played almost 80 games for the club and scored five tries since joining from the DHL Stormers ahead of the 2020/21 season.
He played a key role last year as Sale reached the Premiership final, and this season he has featured a further 13 times for Alex Sanderson’s side.
Alex said: “Cobus will be missed by all of us on so many levels. He’s the most polite and courteous of people off the field, but the most wildly excitable man on the field, and on a night out.
“To say Cobus wears his heart on his sleeve is to do him a disservice with regards to his emotional commitment for which his body has paid the price on occasion.
“He leads by example and has earnt the respect and adoration of the group both on a professional and a personal level. We wish him every success and happiness with his move back home.”
Everyone at Sale Sharks would like to thank Cobus for his contribution to the club and the team during his time here and we wish him all the very best for the future.
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Munster Rugby Announce Contract Deals For Murray, Daly & Gleeson
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