Premiership
Five changes for Saints ahead of European opener
Director of Rugby Phil Dowson makes five changes to his starting line-up as Northampton Saints prepare to head to Stade Rochelais this weekend, with Robbie Smith, David Ribbans, Aaron Hinkley, Tom James and Matt Proctor all coming into the side.The men in Black, Green and Gold kick-off their Heineken Champions Cup campaign on the road, making a first-ever trip to the Stade Marcel-Deflandre for the Round 1 clash on Saturday (10 December, kick-off: 6.30pm local time). After lifting the Heineken Champions Cup last term, Saints’ hosts sit in fourth place in the Top 14 having won seven of their 12 outings so far this season – with five of those wins coming on home soil. Smith is one of four Northampton players set to make their Heineken Champions Cup debuts as he starts at hooker, with Alex Waller and Paul Hill packing down either side of the 24-year-old in the front row.Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – also set for his European debut – makes his sixth consecutive start as he joins Ribbans in Saints’ engine room for only the second time this season.Captain Lewis Ludlam shifts to No. 8 this weekend to lead the side out in La Rochelle, accompanying incoming Hinkley and England international Alex Coles in the back row.James makes his third start of the season at scrum-half as he partners another Champions Cup debutant Fin Smith in the half-back berths, with Fraser Dingwall and Proctor lining up outside them in the centres. James Ramm makes his first European appearance as he mans Saints’ wings with Tommy Freeman for the second week running, while George Furbank completes the back three at fullback. Amongst the replacements, there is a return from injury for Courtney Lawes – while the likes of Emmanuel Iyogun, Angus Scott-Young, Alex Mitchell and Rory Hutchinson are set to make an impact from the bench.STADE ROCHELAIS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTSHeineken Champions Cup, Round 1Saturday 10 December 2022Stade Marcel-DeflandreKick-off: 6.30pm (local time)15 George Furbank14 James Ramm13 Matt Proctor12 Fraser Dingwall11 Tommy Freeman10 Fin Smith9 Tom James1 Alex Waller2 Robbie Smith 3 Paul Hill4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto5 David Ribbans6 Alex Coles7 Aaron Hinkley8 Lewis Ludlam (c)Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi17 Emmanuel Iyogun18 Ehren Painter19 Courtney Lawes20 Angus Scott-Young21 Juarno Augustus22 Alex Mitchell23 Rory HutchinsonNot considered for selection:Matthew Arden, James Fish, Sam Graham, James Grayson, Mike Haywood, Geordie Irvine, Tom Lockett and Ollie Sleightholme.Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)Assistant referees: Peter Martin (Ireland) and Oisin Quinn (Ireland)TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Director of Rugby Phil Dowson makes five changes to his starting line-up as Northampton Saints prepare to head to Stade Rochelais this weekend, with Robbie Smith, David Ribbans, Aaron Hinkley, Tom James and Matt Proctor all coming into the side.
The men in Black, Green and Gold kick-off their Heineken Champions Cup campaign on the road, making a first-ever trip to the Stade Marcel-Deflandre for the Round 1 clash on Saturday (10 December, kick-off: 6.30pm local time).
After lifting the Heineken Champions Cup last term, Saints’ hosts sit in fourth place in the Top 14 having won seven of their 12 outings so far this season – with five of those wins coming on home soil.
Smith is one of four Northampton players set to make their Heineken Champions Cup debuts as he starts at hooker, with Alex Waller and Paul Hill packing down either side of the 24-year-old in the front row.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – also set for his European debut – makes his sixth consecutive start as he joins Ribbans in Saints’ engine room for only the second time this season.
Captain Lewis Ludlam shifts to No. 8 this weekend to lead the side out in La Rochelle, accompanying incoming Hinkley and England international Alex Coles in the back row.
James makes his third start of the season at scrum-half as he partners another Champions Cup debutant Fin Smith in the half-back berths, with Fraser Dingwall and Proctor lining up outside them in the centres.
James Ramm makes his first European appearance as he mans Saints’ wings with Tommy Freeman for the second week running, while George Furbank completes the back three at fullback.
Amongst the replacements, there is a return from injury for Courtney Lawes – while the likes of Emmanuel Iyogun, Angus Scott-Young, Alex Mitchell and Rory Hutchinson are set to make an impact from the bench.
STADE ROCHELAIS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Heineken Champions Cup, Round 1
Saturday 10 December 2022
Stade Marcel-Deflandre
Kick-off: 6.30pm (local time)
15 George Furbank
14 James Ramm
13 Matt Proctor
12 Fraser Dingwall
11 Tommy Freeman
10 Fin Smith
9 Tom James
1 Alex Waller
2 Robbie Smith
3 Paul Hill
4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5 David Ribbans
6 Alex Coles
7 Aaron Hinkley
8 Lewis Ludlam (c)
Replacements:
16 Sam Matavesi
17 Emmanuel Iyogun
18 Ehren Painter
19 Courtney Lawes
20 Angus Scott-Young
21 Juarno Augustus
22 Alex Mitchell
23 Rory Hutchinson
Not considered for selection:
Matthew Arden, James Fish, Sam Graham, James Grayson, Mike Haywood, Geordie Irvine, Tom Lockett and Ollie Sleightholme.
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Peter Martin (Ireland) and Oisin Quinn (Ireland)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Content & Images from – Northampton Saints 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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