Premiership
George Skivington names team for European opener
Gloucester Rugby Head Coach George Skivington has named his side for their 2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup curtain raiser tomorrow afternoon.
The Cherry & Whites host Top 14 side Bordeaux-Begles at Kingsholm in the opening round of the competition.
Following Jack Singleton’s injury in Gloucester’s bonus point win over Northampton Saints last Saturday, Santiago Socino returns at hooker. Last weekend’s Premiership Player of the Week, Val Rapava-Ruskin, and Fraser Balmain start as the props.
Cam Jordan comes into the second-row with Matias Alemanno.
Freddie Clarke switches from lock to blind-side flanker, where he joins captain Lewis Ludlow and Ben Morgan in the back-row.
Stephen Varney and last weekend’s Player of the Match, Santi Carreras, are the half-backs with Seb Atkinson and Chris Harris in the centres.
One change in the back three sees Alex Hearle come in for Louis Rees-Zammit to join Jonny May and Lloyd Evans.
On the bench, Seb Blake, who scored in the Cherry & Whites cup defeat at Exeter on Sunday, provides cover at hooker for Socino, and Albert Tuisue makes his return from suspension. Harry Elrington, Ciaran Knight, Jack Clement, Charlie Chapman, Billy Twelvetrees and Jack Reeves complete the replacements.
Tickets for the fixture are still available here.
Team News
15. Lloyd Evans*
14. Alex Hearle
13. Chris Harris
12. Seb Atkinson
11. Jonny May*
10. Santiago Carreras
9. Stephen Varney*
1. Val Rapava-Ruskin
2. Santiago Socino
3. Fraser Balmain
4. Cam Jordan*
5. Matias Alemanno
6. Freddie Clarke*
7. Lewis Ludlow* (C)
8. Ben Morgan
16. Seb Blake*
17. Harry Elrington
18. Ciaran Knight*
19. Albert Tuisue
20. Jack Clement*
21. Charlie Chapman*
22. Billy Twelvetrees
23. Jack Reeves*
*Denotes academy graduate.
Content & Images from – Gloucester 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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