Premiership
Luke Morahan to depart Bristol in January
One of the most exciting players to represent the club in the professional era, Morahan has scored 47 tries in 107 appearances for the Bears and leaves with the club’s full support and best wishes.
Morahan’s final game – if selected – will be against Harlequins at Twickenham on Tuesday, December 27th.
Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “Luke has been a tremendous leader and a foundation Bear who has driven the standards and set the bar for the next group of players.
“Luke was out of contract next summer and keen to stay – and while we were obviously keen to keep somebody of his quality and experience, the challenges of the reduced salary cap mean it’s impossible to keep hold of every player, a challenge that we are seeing across the Premiership now.
“He came to me with a fantastic, long-term offer from Bayonne on the proviso that he joined now as a medical joker – and with the challenges of managing the salary cap meaning that we couldn’t guarantee him an offer to stay, we have granted his early release in the best interests of Luke, Madi and his family.
“With everything he has achieved and contributed here, we feel this is the right decision and we know he will give everything to the club over December.”
Morahan added: “Bristol has given me and my family more than I could have ever imagined when we arrived back in the Championship in 2017. My wife and I have raised our two children here and we have made lifelong friends and memories.
“I am so proud of everything that we have achieved at the club during my time here and how far the Bears have progressed in that time. There are so many highlights and I depart knowing that everything is in place for the next guys who pull on the jersey.
“To be one of the first players to make 100 appearances for the Bears and to help the club to silverware in Europe has been fantastic and I would like to thank the fans and the Bristol community for how welcome they have made us – it is a city that will always feel like home.
“Finally, I want to personally thank Pat Lam, Steve, Chris and Jon for the trust and support they have shown me, both during my time in a Bears jersey and now in agreeing to an early release so that I can support my family in an exciting new chapter in France.”
Content & Images from – Bristol Bears 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.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
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