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Bath add former England & Scotland coach to 2023/24 coaching ticket

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At the commencement of pre-season training, Head of Rugby Johann van Graan has added Andy Robinson and Stevie Scott to his coaching team for the 2023/24 season. 

With 249 Bath Rugby appearances to his name, and returning to the club 25 years after leading Bath to European victory, Robinson has been appointed the club’s new Head Academy Coach. 

He will head up Bath Rugby’s Premiership Rugby Cup fixtures in the early stages of the competition, lending his international-level experience to Head of Academy, Craig Lilley, to bring out the young players’ full potential. 

The former Bath Rugby Head Coach will also play a part in van Graan’s senior coaching team as Contact Coach. Robinson assisted Bath Rugby in the latter part of the 2022/23 season as a consultant, where the team finished eighth in the Premiership table and secured their place in the Champions Cup. 

Of his appointment, Robinson said: “I’m glad to be back at Bath and I’m looking forward to making a change on the pitch. There’s a great group of players here and I’m excited to see what I can achieve with the team.” 

Robinson brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his time on the international stage assisting in England’s 2003 World Cup victory, as well as being Head Coach of Scotland and Romania. 

Acknowledging Robinson’s connection with Bath, van Graan said: “I’m excited to have Andy with us and I couldn’t think of a better man to coach here at Bath.

“Andy has achieved a tremendous amount in both his playing and coaching career and is a well-known face in the city. It’ll be great for all of us here to have someone so deeply connected to Bath’s professional rugby history.”


The club can also confirm that Stevie Scott has joined the Blue, Black and White ahead of the 2023/24 season as the new Scrum Coach.

A former Scotland international with 11 caps for his country, the front row has both playing and coaching experience at Edinburgh Rugby, earning 99 caps at the Scottish club and spending four seasons coaching.

Moving to the Premiership in 2010, Scott coached Sale Sharks before moving to Scotland to take up an Assistant Coach role. With time at Utah Warriors and Watsonians also on his resume, Scott is a knowledgeable specialty coach that will add vital experience to Bath’s scrum.

“I’m delighted to be joining Bath Rugby. I think it’s a really exciting time for the club and thankful for the opportunity to work with top-class players and coaches,” said Scott. 

“Bath is home to some of the best forwards in the Premiership and I’m looking forward to a successful season.”

Commenting on his appointment, Bath’s Head of Rugby, Johann van Graan said: “Stevie is a hugely experienced coach, and he’s the right type of person I want coaching with me at the club.

“He’s worked across multiple different competitions and adding him to our coaching set-up will be invaluable for the development of our set piece.”


 

Content & Images from – Bath Rugby


Premiership

SHARKS TO SIGN FIJI SKIPPER NAYACALEVU

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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. 

Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby


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Falcons star to join Saracens

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Phil Brantingham to join Saracens

Tuesday 05 March 2024 Written by: Tom Grisedale

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


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Premiership

WIESE SET TO RETURN TO SA

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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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