Premiership
Barton reflects on first week as a Falcon
Friday 15 July 2022
Scrum-half Josh Barton has spoken of the ‘exciting times’ ahead after completing his first week as a Newcastle Falcons player.
The 24-year-old is one of 13 new arrivals after signing from Coventry, and rounded off his first week on Tyneside with a brutal hill-sprint session on Newcastle’s Town Moor.
“It’s been a class week and it’s an exciting time ahead,” said the half-back, who made his professional breakthrough with London Scottish.
“All the boys and the staff couldn’t have been any more welcoming, and I’m enjoying what we’re doing.
“In some respects we’ve been eased to it, but I know things will pick up. The standard is already very high in terms of what the players are doing and the level of ability, and it’s been good to get going after so long for me personally.”
Crediting the Falcons coaches for mixing fitness with skills during their opening week, Barton said: “I enjoy the way Newcastle approach pre-season because you’ve got your standard stuff which you obviously have to do for the strength and conditioning side, but there’s lots of skill work and game awareness mixed in from day one.
“Some places just go hammer and tongs on the fitness side from the off, which can break the guys’ morale, but as a new lad here I’ve been really impressed with how well thought out everything is in terms of the schedule and the purpose behind everything we’re doing.
“It’s given me time to settle in, but the standards are still expected to be high. It’s certainly not easy, but you enjoy the hard work because you can see what it’s all leading towards.”
Barton was speaking at the culmination of a gruelling series of hill-sprints, saying: “That hill session was pretty dark – genuinely one of the worst things I’ve ever done.
“It’s one of those where it’s more about the boys all buying in, everyone suffering together and building those bonds. You don’t want to be the guy who drops out, you keep pushing each other along and you just get on with it.
“You can see the team spirit from the way the lads were all encouraging each other, and it’s great to be involved in a group like that. We’re laying the foundation for when the games come round, and luckily it’s a pretty short pre-season.”
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Source – Newcastle Falcons Rugby
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.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
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.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
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