Premiership
Five changes for Saints ahead of trip to Saracens
Director of Rugby Phil Dowson has made five changes to Northampton Saints’ starting XV this weekend as the men in Black, Green and Gold face Saracens.Saints enter the Gallagher Premiership clash (kick-off: 12.15pm, live on BT Sport and ITV) sat fourth in the table following back-to-back wins over Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs. Sunday’s opponents Saracens however are unbeaten in the league so far this season and top the table after nine rounds of action.George Furbank and Alex Mitchell both start in Saints’ back-line, at fullback and scrum-half respectively, after the pair were released from England duty on Wednesday.Meanwhile Tommy Freeman – scorer of both Northampton tries against Chiefs – and Courtnall Skosan continue on the wings, with the visitors’ midfield also unchanged as skipper Fraser Dingwall and Rory Hutchinson are named in the centres.Fin Smith remains in the No.10 jersey after an impressive start to his Saints career which has seen him pick up 29 points and a man-of-the-match award in two appearances. The 20-year-old’s current streak of 12 successful kicks at goal is the longest in the Premiership.Two changes come in the front row for Northampton with props Alex Waller and Paul Hill returning to the starting line-up to pack down either side of hooker Mike Haywood.Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Alex Moon are selected together in Saints’ engine room for the third straight week, while No.8 Juarno Augustus returns from injury in the back row to join flankers Angus Scott-Young and Sam Graham – who made a whopping 37 tackles between them last time out against Exeter.Amongst the replacements for Northampton, the likes of Emmanuel Iyogun, Tom James and Matt Proctor will be hoping to make an impact from the bench, while Kayde Sylvester and James Ramm could make their Gallagher Premiership debuts if they enter the action.SARACENS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTSGallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 10Sunday 13 November 2022StoneX StadiumKick-off: 12.15pm15 George Furbank14 Tommy Freeman13 Fraser Dingwall (c)12 Rory Hutchinson11 Courtnall Skosan10 Fin Smith9 Alex Mitchell1 Alex Waller2 Mike Haywood3 Paul Hill4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto5 Alex Moon6 Angus Scott-Young7 Sam Graham8 Juarno AugustusReplacements:16 Robbie Smith17 Emmanuel Iyogun18 Ehren Painter19 Brandon Nansen20 Kayde Sylvester21 Tom James22 Matt Proctor23 James RammNot considered for selection:Matthew Arden, James Fish, James Grayson, Aaron Hinkley, Courtney Lawes, Tom Lockett, Lewis Ludlam, George Patten, Ollie Sleightholme and Karl Wilkins.International duty:Alex Coles (England), Sam Matavesi (Fiji) and David Ribbans (England).SARACENS TEAM TO FACE SAINTS15 Max Malins, 14 Alex Lewington, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Alex Lozowski, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Alex Goode, 9 Ivan van Zyl; 1 Robin Hislop, 2 Theo Dan, 3 Marco Riccioni, 4 Callum Hunter-Hill, 5 Andrew Kitchener, 6 Andy Christie, 7 Ben Earl (c), 8 Jackson Wray.Replacements: 16 Ethan Lewis, 17 James Flynn, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Ollie Stonham, 20 Hugh Tizard, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Josh Hallett, 23 Tom Howe.Referee: Andrew JacksonAssistant Referees: Nick Wood and Phil WattersNo.4: Mike WoodsTMO: Claire Hodnett
Director of Rugby Phil Dowson has made five changes to Northampton Saints’ starting XV this weekend as the men in Black, Green and Gold face Saracens.
Saints enter the Gallagher Premiership clash (kick-off: 12.15pm, live on BT Sport and ITV) sat fourth in the table following back-to-back wins over Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs. Sunday’s opponents Saracens however are unbeaten in the league so far this season and top the table after nine rounds of action.
George Furbank and Alex Mitchell both start in Saints’ back-line, at fullback and scrum-half respectively, after the pair were released from England duty on Wednesday.
Meanwhile Tommy Freeman – scorer of both Northampton tries against Chiefs – and Courtnall Skosan continue on the wings, with the visitors’ midfield also unchanged as skipper Fraser Dingwall and Rory Hutchinson are named in the centres.
Fin Smith remains in the No.10 jersey after an impressive start to his Saints career which has seen him pick up 29 points and a man-of-the-match award in two appearances. The 20-year-old’s current streak of 12 successful kicks at goal is the longest in the Premiership.
Two changes come in the front row for Northampton with props Alex Waller and Paul Hill returning to the starting line-up to pack down either side of hooker Mike Haywood.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Alex Moon are selected together in Saints’ engine room for the third straight week, while No.8 Juarno Augustus returns from injury in the back row to join flankers Angus Scott-Young and Sam Graham – who made a whopping 37 tackles between them last time out against Exeter.
Amongst the replacements for Northampton, the likes of Emmanuel Iyogun, Tom James and Matt Proctor will be hoping to make an impact from the bench, while Kayde Sylvester and James Ramm could make their Gallagher Premiership debuts if they enter the action.
SARACENS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 10
Sunday 13 November 2022
StoneX Stadium
Kick-off: 12.15pm
15 George Furbank
14 Tommy Freeman
13 Fraser Dingwall (c)
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Courtnall Skosan
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Alex Waller
2 Mike Haywood
3 Paul Hill
4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5 Alex Moon
6 Angus Scott-Young
7 Sam Graham
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16 Robbie Smith
17 Emmanuel Iyogun
18 Ehren Painter
19 Brandon Nansen
20 Kayde Sylvester
21 Tom James
22 Matt Proctor
23 James Ramm
Not considered for selection:
Matthew Arden, James Fish, James Grayson, Aaron Hinkley, Courtney Lawes, Tom Lockett, Lewis Ludlam, George Patten, Ollie Sleightholme and Karl Wilkins.
International duty:
Alex Coles (England), Sam Matavesi (Fiji) and David Ribbans (England).
SARACENS TEAM TO FACE SAINTS
15 Max Malins, 14 Alex Lewington, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Alex Lozowski, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Alex Goode, 9 Ivan van Zyl; 1 Robin Hislop, 2 Theo Dan, 3 Marco Riccioni, 4 Callum Hunter-Hill, 5 Andrew Kitchener, 6 Andy Christie, 7 Ben Earl (c), 8 Jackson Wray.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Lewis, 17 James Flynn, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Ollie Stonham, 20 Hugh Tizard, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Josh Hallett, 23 Tom Howe.
Referee: Andrew Jackson
Assistant Referees: Nick Wood and Phil Watters
No.4: Mike Woods
TMO: Claire Hodnett
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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