Premiership
Leicester Confirm Eighth Signing of the Summer
Leicester have announced their eighth signing and have tied down one of their youngsters in one busy day
Leicester Tigers have confirmed Joe Thomas as their eighth signing of the summer and have also tied down prop Joe Heyes.
Thomas, who was an U20’s Grand Slam winner with Wales in 2016, has spent the last year playing in New Zealand, but is delighted to have moved to the Tigers.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to join Leicester Tigers. They are a massive club in the Gallagher Premiership with a big history of success. I can’t wait to get started. It will be great to be able to learn off some great coaches and compete and play alongside great players,” he said.
The 23-year-old centre also has PRO 14 experience having lined out for both the Ospreys and the Dragons.
All of which has made him an attractive signing for head coach Geordan Murphy.
“Joe has a very good skill-set, he was highly rated on his way through the ranks in Wales and now he is keen to come in here and take on a new challenge with Leicester,” he said.
On the other hand, Heyes, who is currently at the World Rugby U20 Championship, has committed himself to the club and believes that being at Welford Road has made him a better person.
“Ever since I joined the club, Leicester have supported and guided me all the way to be a better person on and off the pitch. Geordie has a great vision for the future of the club and I want to play my part in it, however big or small it may be. Tigers was the first rugby club I supported and Welford Road was the first rugby venue I went to. So, to be able to play for Leicester Tigers at somewhere as special as Welford Road, in front of a passionate and enthusiastic crowd, is a dream come true. I want to keep learning and develop as much as I can. I just want to play for Leicester Tigers because it’s a dream and I absolutely love wearing the shirt,” he said.
Heyes was thrown-in at the deep end last season making 22 senior appearances in his debut campaign and his re-signing excites Murphy.
“Joe was fast-tracked into senior rugby last season and showed great resilience throughout a tough and long campaign. He is in good hands under the guidance of Boris Stankovich and has come on in leaps and bounds in a short time already. It is very exciting that, at just 20 years of age, he still has a lot of improvement in him and wants to continue his development in Leicester,” he said.
Leicester will be hoping the addition of Thomas along with the likes of Tomas Lavanini, Noel Reid and Jaco Taute will help them achieve a far better campaign than their latest one where they narrowly avoided relegation.
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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