Premiership
Lee Blackett Names Side For Opening Round Of Premiership Cup
Men’s Head Coach Lee Blackett has named his side to take on Newcastle Falcons at Coventry Building Society Arena in the opening round of the Premiership Cup on Tuesday 20 September, kick off 7.45pm.
New signing, Will Haydon-Wood gets his first start in Black and Gold at 10. Joining him in the half-backs is Francois Hougaard who re-signed with the Club last month.
Academy graduates, Zac Nearchou and Olly Hartley also get their first starts since joining the senior squad.
Zac is joined in the front row by Captain, Gabriel Oghre and Elliot Millar-Mills.
Cam Dodson lines up alongside Theo Vukasinovic in the second row, with Fyn Brown, Kieran Curran and Greg Fisilau in the back-row to complete the forwards.
In the backs, Hartley is at full back with Luke Mehson and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wings.
Reikiti Maasi-White and Will Simonds link up to form the centre partnership.
Micahel Van Vuuren features amongst the replacements.
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Wasps team to face Newcastle Falcons at Coventry Building Society Arena on Tuesday 20 September, kick off 7.45pm.
1 Zac Nearchou
2 Gabriel Oghre (C)
3 Elliot Millar-Mills
4 Cam Dodson
5 Theo Vukasinovic
6 Fyn Brown
7 Kieran Curran
8 Greg Fisilau
9 Francois Hougaard
10 Will Haydon-Wood
11 Luke Mehson
12 Will Simonds
13 Reikiti Maasi-White
14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
15 Olly Hartley
Replacements
16 Michael Van Vuuren
17 Archie McArthur
18 Robin Hardwick
19 Alfie Bell
20 James Tunney
21 Harry Craven
22 Ollie Dawkins
23 Billy Kucera
Premiership
SHARKS TO SIGN FIJI SKIPPER NAYACALEVU
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.
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Premiership
Falcons star to join Saracens
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.”
Premiership
WIESE SET TO RETURN TO SA
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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