Premiership
Chiefs to assess Cowan-Dickie injury
By Mark Stevens
8/1/23
Exeter Chiefs hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has given new England head coach Steve Borthwick an injury scare four weeks before the Six Nations opener against Scotland.
The Cornishman was helped off with an ankle problem after scoring two tries in the Chiefs’ 35-12 Gallagher Premiership victory over Northampton Saints at Sandy Park.
The Chiefs head to South Africa today ahead of next weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup clash with the Bulls in Pretoria.
“He has rolled his ankle and I am not quite sure where he is at,” Exeter head coach Ali Hepher said. “But to get him off the pitch, it must be pretty sore, so we will obviously assess where he is.”
Chiefs’ Scotland international full-back Stuart Hogg, meanwhile, is battling to overcome a heel injury that has sidelined him for the last two Premiership games.
“He has got a bruised heel,” Hepher added. “He tested today, he tried to run on Monday and today, but didn’t look too great. It (South Africa trip) is obviously a quick turnaround and we can’t take the whole squad out there. We just need to make a quick call on that and get a good read on it pretty early.”
Exeter’s bonus-point success saw them climb three places to fifth after tries from Cowan-Dickie, No.8 Sam Simmonds, wing Olly Woodburn and centre Henry Slade put them in control.
“The conditions were so bad it restricted what you could do, but tactically on the whole we were superb,” Hepher said. “That was the reaction we wanted. We are a young improving side and we got a lot of learnings out there.”
Content & Images from – Exeter Chiefs 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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