Premiership
Former Irish Coach to Become Bristol CEO
One of Ireland’s and Joe Schmidt’s former coaches is set to take over as the Bristol Bears CEO
Ex-Ireland kicking coach Mark Tainton is to become Bristol Bears’ CEO for the 2019/20 season.
Tainton will take up the role come the 1st of June as Pat Lam’s role changes from head coach to director of rugby.
Over former kicking coach, who worked with Ireland and Joe Schmidt when he took over in 2013, has held the role of chief operating officer at the Bears until now.
Tainton has a dream for the club and is excited by the direction that the Bears are going in.
“The hard work of the staff throughout the season has been fantastic and it’s helped the club to establish the Bears as an ambitious force in the Premiership,” he said.
As Bristol’s all-time leading points scorer and a former interim manager, he knows the club inside out and is delighted to move up to another new role.
“It’s an honour to join the board of directors and continue to contribute to the direction and strategy of the club as we move into an exciting future. A significant focus for us in the coming twelve months is the development of the new, world-class training facility in Abbots Leigh. We’ve made huge strides off-field over the past two seasons, but there is so much more to do in building relationships with commercial partners and the city to inspire our community – I’m excited about the journey ahead,” he added.
Club chairman Chris Booy is happy to have Tainton on board and looks forward to the club’s future with him and Lam at the helm.
“We’re delighted with the way Mark has led the operations team in our first season back in the Premiership. He has got a fantastic relationship with Pat Lam and they are aligned in their views and vision for the club – that’s crucial for us to continue moving forward. Mark has driven the commercial strategy of the Bears and we’re in a strong position to capitalise on that success. He’s a Bristolian who lives and breathes the rugby club – it’s great to welcome him onto the board,” he said.
Bristol enjoyed a successful season and look to be heading in the right direction with the new changes.
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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