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Premiership

Lawes returns from injury as Saints host Saracens

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Courtney Lawes makes his return from injury for Northampton Saints on Saturday afternoon, as the men in Black, Green and Gold lock horns with Saracens at a sold out cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.Director of Rugby Phil Dowson makes just two changes for the must-win Gallagher Premiership clash, with England international Lawes returning in the back row and Fiji international Sam Matavesi – who signed a new contract with the Club this week – starting at hooker.Saints have won their last seven league fixtures on home soil and will need to make it eight on the bounce if they are to keep their top-four hopes alive, but top-of-the-table Saracens edged them out at StoneX Stadium in November and have not lost in their last six visits to the Gardens in the Premiership.Lawes is the headline inclusion in the back row for Saints; the 34-year-old makes only his second league appearance of the season and first since September, starting at blindside flanker.Northampton skipper Lewis Ludlam will lead the hosts from openside, with No.8 Juarno Augustus completing the back row having scored in his last two appearances.David Ribbans and Alex Moon continue in the engine room, while Matavesi is the only change in the front row at hooker, as props Alex Waller and Trevor Davison start either side of him.The back-line is unchanged for Saints as Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell continue in the half-back berths, and Rory Hutchinson and Fraser Dingwall combine in the midfield.Tommy Freeman has three tries in his last four Premiership appearances and will be looking to add to that tally and put in a late bid to become the league’s top scorer this season. Meanwhile James Ramm is selected on the other wing, and fullback George Furbank rounds off the back three.Saints opt for a 6-2 split this week on the bench, with the likes of Paul Hill, Alex Coles, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, and Tom Collins all named amongst a strong list of replacements who will be looking to make an impact late in the game.NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs SARACENSGallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 22Saturday 15 April 2023cinch Stadium at Franklin’s GardensKick-off: 3pm15 George Furbank14 James Ramm13 Fraser Dingwall12 Rory Hutchinson11 Tommy Freeman10 Fin Smith9 Alex Mitchell1 Alex Waller2 Sam Matavesi3 Trevor Davison4 David Ribbans5 Alex Moon6 Courtney Lawes7 Lewis Ludlam (c)8 Juarno AugustusReplacements:16 Tom Cruse17 Ethan Waller18 Paul Hill19 Alex Coles20 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto21 Sam Graham22 Tom James23 Tom CollinsNot considered for selection:Emmanuel Iyogun, Matt Proctor, Ollie Sleightholme and Robbie Smith.SARACENS TEAM TO PLAY SAINTS:15 Alex Goode (cc), 14 Rotimi Segun, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Olly Hartley, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Manu Vunipola, 9 Ruben de Haas; 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Tom Woolstencroft, 3 Christian Judge, 4 Callum Hunter-Hill, 5 Hugh Tizard, 6 Nick Isiekwe, 7 Toby Knight, 8 Jackson Wray (cc)Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Robin Hislop, 18 Marco Riccioni, 19 Nathan Michelow, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Josh Hallett, 23 Ben HarrisReferee: Wayne BarnesAssistant referees: Tom Foley and Wayne FallaNo.4: Jonathan HealyTMO: David Rose

Courtney Lawes makes his return from injury for Northampton Saints on Saturday afternoon, as the men in Black, Green and Gold lock horns with Saracens at a sold out cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Director of Rugby Phil Dowson makes just two changes for the must-win Gallagher Premiership clash, with England international Lawes returning in the back row and Fiji international Sam Matavesi – who signed a new contract with the Club this week – starting at hooker.

Saints have won their last seven league fixtures on home soil and will need to make it eight on the bounce if they are to keep their top-four hopes alive, but top-of-the-table Saracens edged them out at StoneX Stadium in November and have not lost in their last six visits to the Gardens in the Premiership.

Lawes is the headline inclusion in the back row for Saints; the 34-year-old makes only his second league appearance of the season and first since September, starting at blindside flanker.

Northampton skipper Lewis Ludlam will lead the hosts from openside, with No.8 Juarno Augustus completing the back row having scored in his last two appearances.

David Ribbans and Alex Moon continue in the engine room, while Matavesi is the only change in the front row at hooker, as props Alex Waller and Trevor Davison start either side of him.

The back-line is unchanged for Saints as Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell continue in the half-back berths, and Rory Hutchinson and Fraser Dingwall combine in the midfield.

Tommy Freeman has three tries in his last four Premiership appearances and will be looking to add to that tally and put in a late bid to become the league’s top scorer this season. Meanwhile James Ramm is selected on the other wing, and fullback George Furbank rounds off the back three.

Saints opt for a 6-2 split this week on the bench, with the likes of Paul Hill, Alex Coles, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, and Tom Collins all named amongst a strong list of replacements who will be looking to make an impact late in the game.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs SARACENS
Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 22
Saturday 15 April 2023
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3pm

15 George Furbank
14 James Ramm
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Tommy Freeman
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Alex Waller
2 Sam Matavesi
3 Trevor Davison
4 David Ribbans
5 Alex Moon
6 Courtney Lawes
7 Lewis Ludlam (c)
8 Juarno Augustus

Replacements:
16 Tom Cruse
17 Ethan Waller
18 Paul Hill
19 Alex Coles
20 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
21 Sam Graham
22 Tom James
23 Tom Collins

Not considered for selection:
Emmanuel Iyogun, Matt Proctor, Ollie Sleightholme and Robbie Smith.

SARACENS TEAM TO PLAY SAINTS:
15 Alex Goode (cc), 14 Rotimi Segun, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Olly Hartley, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Manu Vunipola, 9 Ruben de Haas; 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Tom Woolstencroft, 3 Christian Judge, 4 Callum Hunter-Hill, 5 Hugh Tizard, 6 Nick Isiekwe, 7 Toby Knight, 8 Jackson Wray (cc)
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Robin Hislop, 18 Marco Riccioni, 19 Nathan Michelow, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Josh Hallett, 23 Ben Harris

Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant referees: Tom Foley and Wayne Falla
No.4: Jonathan Healy
TMO: David Rose

Content & Images from – Northampton Saints Rugby


Premiership

SHARKS TO SIGN FIJI SKIPPER NAYACALEVU

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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


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Premiership

Falcons star to join Saracens

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Phil Brantingham to join Saracens

Tuesday 05 March 2024 Written by: Tom Grisedale

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


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Premiership

WIESE SET TO RETURN TO SA

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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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