Premiership
Biggar back to captain Saints against Irish
Northampton Saints will be led out by Dan Biggar for the first time this Saturday, as the Wales fly-half captains the side when London Irish head to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens for the Gallagher Premiership clash. Tickets for the Round 2 match – that kicks off at 2pm in Northampton – are still available online from £22 adults / £8 junior*, with the game also available to watch via the PRTV Live streaming service.Saints have lost to London Irish in the Premiership just once since 2015 and, having won their last five home matches at cinch Stadium, will be hoping to carry on that record this weekend. Captain Biggar lines up alongside Alex Mitchell in the half-back berths for the clash with the Exiles, while Scotland international Rory Hutchinson returns to the side to partner Matt Proctor in the midfield.After scoring a brace of tries last weekend, Tom Collins shifts to the wing for Saturday’s match and joins Ollie Sleightholme and England fullback George Furbank in the back three. Meanwhile, props Alex Waller and Paul Hill retain their places in the front row this weekend and are joined there by Fiji hooker Sam Matavesi, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Alex Moon packing down behind them in the engine room. Alex Coles shifts from lock into the back row on Saturday alongside flanker Aaron Hinkley and No. 8 Juarno Augustus to round off the line-up. Mike Haywood, Emmanuel Iyogun, Angus Scott-Young and Courtnall Skosan are amongst the men in Black, Green and Gold primed to make an impact from the replacements – while there is also a potential competitive Saints debut for scrum-half Callum Braley should he enter the action. NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs LONDON IRISHGallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 2Saturday 17 September 2022cinch Stadium at Franklin’s GardensKick-off: 2pm15 George Furbank14 Ollie Sleightholme13 Matt Proctor12 Rory Hutchinson11 Tom Collins10 Dan Biggar (c)9 Alex Mitchell1 Alex Waller2 Sam Matavesi3 Paul Hill4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto5 Alex Moon6 Alex Coles7 Aaron Hinkley8 Juarno AugustusReplacements:16 Mike Haywood17 Emmanuel Iyogun18 Alfie Petch19 Brandon Nansen20 Angus Scott-Young21 Callum Braley22 Tom Litchfield23 Courtnall SkosanNot considered for selection:Matthew Arden, Callum Burns, Fraser Dingwall, Sam Graham, Tommy Freeman, Joseph Gaffan, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, David Ribbans, Frankie Sleightholme, and Karl Wilkins.Referee: Luke PearceAssistant referees: Andrew Jackson and John MeredithNo.4: Dean RichardsTMO: Sara Cox
Northampton Saints will be led out by Dan Biggar for the first time this Saturday, as the Wales fly-half captains the side when London Irish head to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens for the Gallagher Premiership clash.
Tickets for the Round 2 match – that kicks off at 2pm in Northampton – are still available online from £22 adults / £8 junior*, with the game also available to watch via the PRTV Live streaming service.
Saints have lost to London Irish in the Premiership just once since 2015 and, having won their last five home matches at cinch Stadium, will be hoping to carry on that record this weekend.
Captain Biggar lines up alongside Alex Mitchell in the half-back berths for the clash with the Exiles, while Scotland international Rory Hutchinson returns to the side to partner Matt Proctor in the midfield.
After scoring a brace of tries last weekend, Tom Collins shifts to the wing for Saturday’s match and joins Ollie Sleightholme and England fullback George Furbank in the back three.
Meanwhile, props Alex Waller and Paul Hill retain their places in the front row this weekend and are joined there by Fiji hooker Sam Matavesi, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Alex Moon packing down behind them in the engine room.
Alex Coles shifts from lock into the back row on Saturday alongside flanker Aaron Hinkley and No. 8 Juarno Augustus to round off the line-up.
Mike Haywood, Emmanuel Iyogun, Angus Scott-Young and Courtnall Skosan are amongst the men in Black, Green and Gold primed to make an impact from the replacements – while there is also a potential competitive Saints debut for scrum-half Callum Braley should he enter the action.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs LONDON IRISH
Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 2
Saturday 17 September 2022
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 2pm
15 George Furbank
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Matt Proctor
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Tom Collins
10 Dan Biggar (c)
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Alex Waller
2 Sam Matavesi
3 Paul Hill
4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5 Alex Moon
6 Alex Coles
7 Aaron Hinkley
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16 Mike Haywood
17 Emmanuel Iyogun
18 Alfie Petch
19 Brandon Nansen
20 Angus Scott-Young
21 Callum Braley
22 Tom Litchfield
23 Courtnall Skosan
Not considered for selection:
Matthew Arden, Callum Burns, Fraser Dingwall, Sam Graham, Tommy Freeman, Joseph Gaffan, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, David Ribbans, Frankie Sleightholme, and Karl Wilkins.
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Andrew Jackson and John Meredith
No.4: Dean Richards
TMO: Sara Cox
Content & Images from – Northampton Saints 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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