Premiership
Falcons secure signing of Scottish prop
Monday 20 February 2023
Newcastle Falcons have announced the signing of Scottish prop Murray McCallum on a two-year deal from the 2023-24 season.
The 26-year-old can play on both sides of the scrum and is currently with Edinburgh, having been part of the Worcester Warriors squad which was disbanded earlier in the season.
McCallum, who has been capped three times by Scotland, said: “Newcastle Falcons are an ambitious club, it’s a great city and I’m excited by the opportunity to come down and make it my home.
“The Falcons have had a strong Scottish connection for a lot of years with big players like Doddie Weir, and it will be great to be a part of that.”
McCallum has played 69 times in his two spells with Edinburgh, scoring a try for them on Saturday, and had made 16 appearances for Worcester prior to their early-season expulsion from the Gallagher Premiership.
Going on to play for the Barbarians on their northern hemisphere tour in November before returning to Edinburgh, he insists he is relishing the opportunity to start with the Falcons once his commitments in the Scottish capital are concluded.
“I’ve played at Kingston Park for Edinburgh in a pre-season game a few years back, and everyone knows it’s a tough place to come,” he said.
“The fact it will be home for me is really nice, and I’m looking forward to it. The proximity to Scotland is obviously great from a family point of view with a lot of them based on the East coast, and it’s just a move which makes a lot of sense.
“It has obviously been a really unsettling time for everyone concerned with Worcester Warriors. I have a fiancée and a six-month-old baby, so it’s great just to have that stability now that everything is sorted.
“My fiancée went to university in Newcastle and absolutely loved it so she’s going to be right at home, and we’re looking forward to moving down in the summer.
“I’ve been in squads with a couple of the lads I’ll be playing with next season, I’m impressed by what I’ve seen and heard about the club and I can’t wait to get started.”
Able to play at loose-head or tight-head, McCallum said: “I’ll play wherever I’m needed, but I’d say I’m competent on both sides and I’m happy to play either.
“I just want to do what’s best for the team, and if that means playing loose-head, tight-head or anywhere else, I’ll put myself forward.”
Newcastle Falcons head coach Dave Walder said: “We’re looking forward to Murray coming down and starting with us in the summer.
“He has Premiership experience with Worcester so he knows what the league is about, he’s had a taste of international rugby earlier in his career and he’s playing at a good level with Edinburgh.
“The fact he can play on both sides of the scrum gives us plenty of options, and it’s great to hear how enthusiastic he is about coming to Newcastle and making a real contribution for the club.”
Newcastle Falcons’ season ticket renewal window is now open for the 2023-24 campaign.
Source – Newcastle Falcons 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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