Premiership
Lawes, Mitchell, Hutchinson and Augustus return for Saints as Munster head to Northampton
Courtney Lawes, Rory Hutchinson, Alex Mitchell and Juarno Augustus all return to Northampton Saints’ starting line-up this weekend as Director of Rugby Phil Dowson makes six changes to his side to face Munster Rugby.With Saints and Munster losing out on the first weekend of Heineken Champions Cup action to Stade Rochelais and Toulouse respectively, Sunday’s clash at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens is a must-win for both sides.A repeat of the 2000 Heineken Cup final, Saints have won two of their six meetings with Munster over the years, with their last victory over the Irish province coming on Munster’s last visit to Northampton in 2009.Lewis Ludlam captains the men in Black, Green and Gold in the back row, switching back to flanker alongside England international Lawes to make room for Augustus to pull on the No.8 jersey.The heavyweight pairing of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and David Ribbans continue in the engine room for the hosts, but there are two further changes in the front row as tighthead prop Ehren Painter and hooker Sam Matavesi are selected from the start, packing down with Alex Waller at loosehead.Scrum-half Mitchell returns to the starting XV and partners No.10 Fin Smith, with Scotland international Hutchinson coming into the midfield to join Matt Proctor.Saints’ back three however is unchanged from last weekend’s trip to France, as England internationals Tommy Freeman and George Furbank line up with James Ramm – who scored on his European debut in La Rochelle.Amongst the replacements Northampton opt for a 6-2 split; the likes of Aaron Hinkley, Angus Scott-Young and Alex Moon will look to provide some ballast off the bench, while Fraser Dingwall and former Italy international Callum Braley could also enter the action.NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs MUNSTER RUGBYHeineken Champions Cup, Round 2Sunday 18 December 2022cinch Stadium at Franklin’s GardensKick-off: 1pm15 George Furbank14 James Ramm13 Matt Proctor12 Rory Hutchinson11 Tommy Freeman10 Fin Smith9 Alex Mitchell1 Alex Waller2 Sam Matavesi3 Ehren Painter4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto5 David Ribbans6 Courtney Lawes7 Lewis Ludlam (c)8 Juarno AugustusReplacements:16 Mikey Haywood17 Emmanuel Iyogun18 Alfie Petch19 Alex Moon20 Angus Scott-Young21 Aaron Hinkley22 Callum Braley23 Fraser DingwallNot considered for selection:Matthew Arden, Alex Coles, James Fish, Sam Graham, James Grayson, Paul Hill and Ollie Sleightholme.MUNSTER SIDE TO FACE SAINTS15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Jack Crowley, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Niall Scannell, 3 John Ryan, 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Jack O’Donoghue, 7 Peter O’Mahony (c), 8 Gavin Coombes.Replacements: 16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Roman Salanoa, 19 John Hodnett, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Shane Daly.Referee: Ludovic Cayre (FRA)Assistant referees: Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy (FRA), Jonathan Gasnier (FRA)No.4: Gareth Holsgrove (ENG)TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin (FRA)
Courtney Lawes, Rory Hutchinson, Alex Mitchell and Juarno Augustus all return to Northampton Saints’ starting line-up this weekend as Director of Rugby Phil Dowson makes six changes to his side to face Munster Rugby.
With Saints and Munster losing out on the first weekend of Heineken Champions Cup action to Stade Rochelais and Toulouse respectively, Sunday’s clash at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens is a must-win for both sides.
A repeat of the 2000 Heineken Cup final, Saints have won two of their six meetings with Munster over the years, with their last victory over the Irish province coming on Munster’s last visit to Northampton in 2009.
Lewis Ludlam captains the men in Black, Green and Gold in the back row, switching back to flanker alongside England international Lawes to make room for Augustus to pull on the No.8 jersey.
The heavyweight pairing of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and David Ribbans continue in the engine room for the hosts, but there are two further changes in the front row as tighthead prop Ehren Painter and hooker Sam Matavesi are selected from the start, packing down with Alex Waller at loosehead.
Scrum-half Mitchell returns to the starting XV and partners No.10 Fin Smith, with Scotland international Hutchinson coming into the midfield to join Matt Proctor.
Saints’ back three however is unchanged from last weekend’s trip to France, as England internationals Tommy Freeman and George Furbank line up with James Ramm – who scored on his European debut in La Rochelle.
Amongst the replacements Northampton opt for a 6-2 split; the likes of Aaron Hinkley, Angus Scott-Young and Alex Moon will look to provide some ballast off the bench, while Fraser Dingwall and former Italy international Callum Braley could also enter the action.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs MUNSTER RUGBY
Heineken Champions Cup, Round 2
Sunday 18 December 2022
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 1pm
15 George Furbank
14 James Ramm
13 Matt Proctor
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Tommy Freeman
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Alex Waller
2 Sam Matavesi
3 Ehren Painter
4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5 David Ribbans
6 Courtney Lawes
7 Lewis Ludlam (c)
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16 Mikey Haywood
17 Emmanuel Iyogun
18 Alfie Petch
19 Alex Moon
20 Angus Scott-Young
21 Aaron Hinkley
22 Callum Braley
23 Fraser Dingwall
Not considered for selection:
Matthew Arden, Alex Coles, James Fish, Sam Graham, James Grayson, Paul Hill and Ollie Sleightholme.
MUNSTER SIDE TO FACE SAINTS
15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Jack Crowley, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Niall Scannell, 3 John Ryan, 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Jack O’Donoghue, 7 Peter O’Mahony (c), 8 Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: 16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Roman Salanoa, 19 John Hodnett, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Shane Daly.
Referee: Ludovic Cayre (FRA)
Assistant referees: Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy (FRA), Jonathan Gasnier (FRA)
No.4: Gareth Holsgrove (ENG)
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin (FRA)
Content & Images from – Northampton Saints 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.
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