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Leicester Tigers sign Charlie Atkinson

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Leicester Tigers can confirm the signing of Charlie Atkinson.

The 21-year-old joins Tigers on a long-term deal from Wasps.

Born in Oxford, Atkinson was educated at Abingdon School and enjoyed a decorated age-grade career with appearances for England at Under-18 and Under-20 level while a member of the Wasps Academy.

Atkinson was a team-mate of Jack van Poortvliet’s in the England Under-20 squad which completed a grand slam in the 2021 Six Nations.

Ahead of the 2021/22 season, Atkinson was promoted to the Wasps first team squad after having already appeared in Gallagher Premiership, Premiership Rugby Cup and Heineken Champions Cup fixtures for the club.

The fly-half, who also plays full-back and is a capable goal-kicker, was included in England’s training squad in Jersey last week ahead of the national side’s 2022 Autumn Test matches.

Speaking about the addition of Atkinson, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Steve Borthwick said: “Charlie is an excellent young player who, at only 21 years of age, has gathered a lot experience in senior rugby.”

“It is exciting to be welcoming someone of his calibre and character to the club, adding to the young group of players who have committed to Leicester Tigers recently.

“We are confident he is the type of player who will fit in well with our squad and has experience alongside some of his new club mates already with England at various levels.

“It’s important we keep building on the foundations we have put in place early on in this journey and Charlie’s addition to the exciting crop of youngsters we have here is another promising step forward.”

Discussing his move to Leicester Tigers, Atkinson said: “I am really excited to be joining a club like Leicester Tigers, with such a good squad of players and coaches.

“It’s a group who are clearly on the same page and everything done is done for a reason, which I am looking forward to being a part of for a long time.

“The opportunity to join a group of players, with such a young core who are a similar age to me is something that I was keen to do.

“I have had the chance to play at Mattioli Woods Welford Road before and, as an away player, you can feel how much the team means to the supporters.

“The Leicester Tigers fans play such a massive part in the games and so, for me, knowing I will have a crowd like who have got my back is so exciting.”

Atkinson joins the club effective immediately.

Content & Images from – Leicester Tigers 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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