Premiership
Fwd: London Irish RSS – New Post -London Irish star off to Saracens
London Irish can confirm the departure of full-back Tom Parton to Gallagher Premiership Club Saracens upon conclusion of the 2022/23 season.
To date, Parton has made 71 appearances for London Irish and contributed 19 tries, being part of the side that achieved promotion from the Championship in the 2018/19 season.
The 24-year-old made his Club debut aged 18 in the British and Irish Cup against an Ospreys select side in the 2016/17 season, going on to play five more times in the tournament that year.
London Irish Director of Rugby Declan Kidney recognised the contributions of Parton from his time in the Academy to making over half a century of appearances for his boyhood Club.
He said: “Tom has been a magnificent servant to London Irish in recent years and has been integral to helping the Club reach new heights, as well being a fantastic mentor on the training ground at Hazelwood.
“I speak on behalf of the team when I say Tom leaving will be a loss for us, but I look forward to continuing our work with him for the rest of the season and I have every confidence that current members of our squad can step up when he leaves us at the end of the season.”
Tom Parton thanked the members of staff and players at London Irish for his time in west London ahead his departure across the capital.
“It has been an honour and privilege to have represented this historic and traditional rugby club,” said Parton.
“Having been here from the age of 13 London Irish is all I have known, it has helped guide, mould, and shape me into the man that I am today, however the time has come for me to experience a change and embrace a new and exciting opportunity.
“To the coaches, physios, and background staff at the club, thank you for all of your tireless work. Through all the ups and downs that this sport throws at us you have always supported me.
“A massive thanks must also go to my teammates; the brotherhood and family ethos of the club is what makes it so special. Having experienced that for 10 years with a core group of young academy players coming through alongside me has been the best thing about this journey. They say, ‘winning is great, but winning with your best mates is something else’ and it has been a pleasure to have shared so many great memories with you.
“And finally, to the London Irish supporters, without your tireless support, none of this would even be possible. The constant noise and passion that you have brought is something that has blown me away from my first day here, and I know that there is still much more to cheer about on the club’s journey.
“There is plenty of the season left and I look forward to giving my all to help the team achieve everything I know it’s capable of. London Irish will always be a special club to me so thank you all for making a childhood dream of mine come true.
“Thanks for the great craic.”
Content & Images from – London Irish 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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