Premiership
Chris Ashton signs short-term contract with Premiership leaders
Leicester Tigers have signed dual-international Chris Ashton on a short-term contract.
The 34-year-old joins Tigers from Worcester Warriors having previously represented fellow Gallagher Premiership clubs Harlequins, Sale Sharks, Saracens and Northampton Saints, as well as a season with Toulon in the French Top14 league.
During his year in France, he broke the record for tries scored in a single season with 24 tries in 23 appearances.
He is the leading try-scorer in European Champions Cup history with 40 and third on the all-time list for tries scored in Premiership Rugby with 89.
Ashton made his professional rugby league debut for Wigan Warriors as an 18-year-old, scoring two tries in his first appearance, before going on to make more than 50 appearances for the Super League club.
He represented England in rugby league on two occasions before making the switch to rugby union in 2007 and, in 2010, Ashton made his Test debut for England in the Six Nations.
A two-time Premiership and European Champions Cup winner, Ashton has 44 Test caps and 20 tries for England.
Speaking about the addition of Ashton, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Steve Borthwick said: “Chris is a driven, professional and competitive character, who brings with him a wealth of experience to our squad.
“As well as being one of the game’s best ever finishers, Chris is also a winner and still very much has that desire to be successful.
“He is a versatile outside-back, who can play in a couple of positions and adds some important depth for us in those areas.
“I am excited to welcome him to Leicester Tigers and seeing him contribute to what we are doing at the club.”
Discussing his move to Tigers, Ashton added: “The opportunity to join this group, under Steve Borthwick, and be part of what is being built here was one that I couldn’t ignore.
“Steve has been very clear with me on his expectations of anyone coming into this environment and I am excited for the chance to learn, improve and hopefully contribute to the club on and off the field.
“It is a pretty young group and I feel like I can certainly pass on my own experiences, as well as still feeling very much that I can play a part on the field to drive the team forward.”
Ashton joins Leicester Tigers effective immediately.
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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