Premiership
Bath Win Race for Youngster’s Signature
Bath have come out on top in the race to sign one of England’s hottest young prospects it has been confirmed
Bath Rugby have won the race to the signing of promising youngster Cameron Redpath from Sale Sharks with immediate effect it has been confirmed.
The back has signed a three-year deal after a six-figure fee was agreed with a reluctant Sharks side, who had hoped to keep a hold of one of their prised assets.
“Sale Sharks can today announce that Cameron Redpath will leave the club with immediate effect to join Bath Rugby on a three-year contract. The club have reluctantly agreed to accept a six-figure transfer fee to release Cameron from his Sale Sharks contract after unsuccessful negotiations with the player over the past couple of weeks. Redpath was in the second year of a five-year contract but has failed to retain a regular first team place after a number of injuries halted his development. Cameron, the son of former Sale scrum-half Bryan Redpath, joined the Sharks on a full-time academy contract after leaving Sedbergh School in 2017, the 20-year-old made a total of 22 appearances over two seasons in Manchester. The utility-back was selected for the England U20s in his first season at Sale after impressing with the U18’s the previous year whilst studying his A-Levels at Sedbergh,” a statement from Sale read.
The English youth star is one of Sale’s home-grown players and it was reported by RugbyPass last week that both Bath and Exeter Chiefs were keen to lure him away from Manchester.
Sale’s director of rugby Steve Diamond admitted that it is disappointing for the club to lose one of their own.
“We have a hard working and vibrant culture at the club which is developing through selective recruitment and the inclusion of our home-grown talent. We are 100% committed to our academy vision and the development of high-level players within the North-West. However, the most important ingredient in this process is the desire for our players and staff to actually want to be here. After meeting with Cameron on several occasions over the past few weeks, it became clear his desire was to leave the club,” he said.
Meanwhile Redpath thanked Sale for his time at the club in a message of his own.
“I would like to thank everyone at Sale for their support over the last two seasons, the coaches and staff at Sale were nothing but good to me. I wish everyone at the club all the best for the remainder for the season and the future,” he said.
The 20-year-old, who can play across the back-line will be hoping to get more game-time with Bath over the coming seasons than he has received at Sale. His first test in a Bath jersey could come as early as this weekend as they host the Bristol Bears knowing that a win would take them above their opponents and into the top-four of the Premiership table.
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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