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Premiership

Chiefs looking to build, insists Hepburn

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By Mark Stevens
14/9/22

Alec Hepburn says he and his Exeter Chiefs team-mates must use their opening day win over defending Gallagher Premiership champions, Leicester Tigers, as the initial building block for their season ahead.

The Chiefs kicked off the new campaign in style, defeating the Tigers 24-20 at Sandy Park, thanks to a last-gasp score from prop Patrick Schickerling.

It was the perfect intro for Rob Baxter’s side, who are now readying themselves for this Sunday’s trip to Worcester Warriors.

For Hepburn, the victory was merely a start and he insists “the best is still to come” from the Chiefs, who are looking to bounce back after missing out on a play-off spot last season for the first time in six years.

“It’s a building block, but we don’t want to get too wrapped up on things,” said the England international. “Leicester have had a shorter pre-season than us, so they may be a little under-cooked, but for a first game, it was a good result and we’ll take it.

“Now, we’ve got to use it to build for the rest of the season because the best is still to come.”

With Worcester next on the agenda, Hepburn and the Chiefs will be mindful of the fact that the Midlanders have themselves endured a sticky few months, where their very existence has come under close scrutiny.

“We’ve already started talking about Worcester,” said Hepburn. “We lost to them up there last season and we lost other close games as well, so I think our focus levels will be pretty high for the weekend.”

Certainly, focus and hard work have been the order of the day for the Chiefs during the summer, one in which they were put through a rigorous pre-season programme.

“I can safely say, that’s the toughest pre-season I’ve ever done,” admitted Hepburn. “Albeit tough, it was all done in good spirit and has put us in a great place. That said, the cross-heirs have always been on the Leicester game; we’ve had this on our mind for a while and I think it showed. We had talked a lot about Leicester and doing something special, which is what we did.

“You could a lot of emotion pour out of that game, especially at the end, but we wanted to get off on the right foot.”

Content & Images from – Exeter Chiefs 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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Premiership

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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