Premiership
Gloucester name side to face Wasps
George Skivington has named his first side of the 2022-23 season as the Cherry & Whites welcome Wasps to Kingsholm.
Ruan Ackermann will lead the side in the absence of Club Captain Lewis Ludlow. He will be joined by Premiership debutant Harry Taylor and Ben Morgan in the back-row.
Harry Elrington, Jack Singleton and Fraser Balmain make up the front-row, with Freddie Clarke and Alex packing down behind them.
Charlie Chapman will partner Adam Hastings at scrum-half and fly-half respectively. In the centre Mark Atkinson lines up alongside Chris Harris with Ollie Thorley, Louis Rees-Zammit and Lloyd Evans making up the back three.
Amongst the replacements waits Albert Tuisue in what will be his full debut for the Club once he enters the field. He is joined on the bench by Santiago Socino, Val Rapava-Ruskin, Jamal Ford-Robinson, Cam Jordan, Ben Meehan, Billy Twelvetrees and Kyle Moyle.
As a mark of respect for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Kingsholm Stadium will be running a reduced matchday experience. We will also take a moment to reflect on the passing of Her Majesty ahead of kick-off.
There will also be reduced coverage across Gloucester Rugby channels during this period.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Team News
15. Lloyd Evans*
14. Louis Rees-Zammit*
13. Chris Harris
12. Mark Atkinson
11. Ollie Thorley*
10. Adam Hastings
9. Charlie Chapman*
1. Harry Elrington
2. Jack Singleton
3. Fraser Balmain
4. Freddie Clarke*
5. Alex Craig*
6. Ruan Ackermann (c)
7. Harry Taylor*
8. Ben Morgan
16. Santiago Socino
17. Val Rapava-Ruskin
18. Jamal Ford-Robinson
19. Cameron Jordan*
20. Albert Tuisue
21. Ben Meehan
22. Billy Twelvetrees
23. Kyle Moyle
*Denotes Academy player or graduate from the Gloucester Rugby Academy
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
Harry Sheridan commits future to Ulster Rugby
Tadhg Beirne Named As New Munster Rugby Captain
