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Premiership

Exeter Snap Up England Youngster

Exeter Chiefs have confirmed their fourth signing ahead of next season with a young gun set to make the move to the Premiership

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(Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Exeter Chiefs have announced the signing of Corey Baldwin from PRO14 outfit the Scarlets ahead of the 2020/21 season.

The 21-year-old back, who can play in the centre or on the wing will join the club in the summer and is looking forward to the challenge ahead. 

“I’m really looking forward to the move. Exeter are a hugely successful club, well coached, play a great brand of rugby, and have some top class players within their squad. They have shown for a number of years now that they are one of the best teams around, so for me it’s going to be a great challenge to go down there and test myself in a different environment. Obviously, I’m very grateful to the Scarlets for the chances they’ve given me over the years. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am now, but the time has come to try something new and that’s going to be with the Chiefs,” he said. 

Baldwin has represented England at U20’s level, having come through the academy at the Welsh region and his arrival at Sandy Park excites Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter. 

“Corey’s one of those guys that, as soon as we knew he was on the market, both myself and Ali Hepher sat down and said this guy has something special. He’s a guy with genuine raw pace, he’s a very good defender, and he’s got a number of attributes that we love down here at Exeter. He kick-chases flat out, makes contributions at the end of those chases, works very hard in defence, scrambles very well, and again someone we feel we can get even more out of moving forward. I think his preferred position is outside centre, but he’s played a fair bit on the wing for the Scarlets. We can see him being very good in either position and he’s a guy who is at the right age, already playing at a high level, and a player who we can see really thriving in our environment,” he said. 

His signing is the latest in Exeter’s recruitment drive ahead of next season having already snapped up Jonny Gray, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Aaron Hinkley. 

Before then the club are hoping to push on in both the Premiership and Champions Cup with a game against Bath this weekend as they look to maintain their lead at the top of the English top division. 


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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