Premiership
In Focus | Union Bordeaux-Begles
Gloucester Rugby welcome French Top 14 side Union Bordeaux-Begles to Kingsholm on Saturday 10 December (3:15pm KO). Here is everythging you need to know about our visitors.
History
(From Gloucester Rugby Heritage)
Rugby has been played in Bordeaux since the late 19th century, but loyalties were divided for several generations between two clubs in the city – Stade Bordelais and CA Bordeaux-Bègles-Gironde. Each enjoyed periods of success, Bordelais winning seven national titles before the Great War and Bègles two in 1969 and 1991.
The first decade of professional rugby saw both clubs based in Bordeaux suffering playing and financial problems, so a merger was proposed. Supporters were fiercely tribal and not in favour, but influential former players, notably Serge Simon and Bernard Laporte, pushed for a joint club. They were supported by local companies, previously reluctant to provide sponsorship, because they knew they would antagonise as many supporters as they would please by supporting one club or the other.
However, neither club was prepared to compromise on the name of the new joint club, so it started life in 2006 as “Union Stade Bordelais-C.A.Bordeaux-Bègles Gironde”. Two years of trying to cope with this mouthful resulted in the name being changed to “Union Bordeaux Bègles”. Both clubs have continued separately as amateur clubs.
Previous Meetings
(From Gloucester Rugby Heritage)
A tour by Bègles in September 1975 included a midweek game under the floodlights at Kingsholm, which became a feast of sparkling rugby. Bègles started strongly and built a healthy lead in the first half, but Gloucester stormed back in the second half, with Alan Brinn and John Bayliss scoring tries. The game finished with Eddie Pinkney crashing over in the corner, but the conversion was missed and Bègles won 21-20.
In August 1999, the teams met for the first time in Bordeaux, for a pre-season match. The Gloucester front row of Trevor Woodman, Neil McCarthy and Phil Vickery had plenty of motivation to perform, because Clive Woodward travelled out to watch them ahead of finalising his Rugby World Cup squad. There was only one point in it with a few minutes to go, but this time it was Gloucester who scored in injury time. Brian Johnson chipped ahead, gathered and scored, and Gloucester won 19-11.
Gloucester and Bordeaux Bègles were drawn in the same group of the Amlin (European Challenge) Cup in 2012-13. The first leg was played at Kingsholm in October, when two tries from Charlie Sharples, one from Will James and a try, a conversion and a penalty from Billy Twelvetrees, saw Gloucester 22-0 ahead at half-time and eventually win 25-13.
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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