Premiership
Could Welsh centre be Tuilagi’s replacement?
Tuilagi will decide on future post 6 Nations.
Manu Tuilagi has been pondering a potential move to France for a while now, but reports claim that Leicester have found their replacement should he leave.
That man is Wales’ No 13 Jonathan Davies who’s future at the Scarlets has been thrown into doubt following the country’s announcement of Project Reset.
The project would see two Welsh regions merge and the talk last week was that the Ospreys and Scarlets would be the two teams involved.
If that were to happen Davies could be the first big name casualty to head through the exit door and according to a report in Sunday’s The Rugby Paper, he has been “sounded out by Leicester about his future plans”.
The 30-year-olds move all depends on Tuilagi’s decision. The options are either to stay at Leicester or go to Racing 92 in a deal worth a reported £2.6 million.
If the moves did happen Davies would still be able to play for Wales as he already has the 60 international caps required (72) for a player to continue playing for the country while playing abroad.
On the other hand, Tuilagi could end his England career, however former Red Rose Joe Marler believes that the RFU would try and make him a special case to continue his selection availability.
“I would be surprised if Manu wasn’t one of those players, they [the RFU] would consider using that particular clause for,” he said in this weekend edition of The Rugby Paper.
Whatever happens internationally, Marler believes a move to France is too good to turn down for the centre.
“You can’t afford to turn down £2.6m. You can’t ignore that kind of money in this game. Footballers deal with lumps of money like that a lot more than we do in rugby. It’s life-changing,” he added.
Some expect Tuilagi to make a decision on his future following the conclusion of the Six Nations this weekend so watch this space as it could cause a series of centre moves across the spectrum.
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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