Premiership
Management changes at London Irish
The Club is pleased to announce the appointments of Allan Robson as Executive Chairman and Adrian Alli as interim CEO. Mick Crossan said, “We already benefit from a wealth of sporting expertise with Allan and Adrian, and I am delighted to see them both taking on their expanded roles within the club in managing the business going forward.”
Allan Robson has had over three decades of working within professional football and rugby union. Prior to joining the Club’s Board of Directors in April 2018 as Non-Executive Chairman, the bulk of his career in rugby was spent at Northampton Saints where he was Chief Executive between 2007 and 2017, during their most successful period both on and off the pitch.
Similarly, Adrian Alli has experience both at league and club level having been Finance Director at Premiership Rugby for 11 years before joining London Irish as the Club’s Chief Financial Officer, the role he has held for the past two years.
Mark Bensted, having resigned for personal reasons from London Irish, leaves the business having played a significant role for the Club not only as CEO since January 2021, but as a director of the business since 2013. Mark led the negotiations to exit Reading as well as the move to the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford and the Club thanks him for this and his invaluable contribution to the business over the last nine years.
Mark said “It’s been a tremendous privilege to have worked for the Club, to have seen the Club through the transition to Brentford and to have helped to steer it through some of its most difficult times during the pandemic. To see how the playing squad has developed over the last few years has been particularly rewarding and I am sure there are some more exciting times to come. However, for personal and private reasons I have now decided I need to step down, and obviously wish the Club, the staff, and the team every success for the future.”
Allan Robson said “It’s been a real pleasure to work with Mark over the last four years and his role in bringing the Club back in to London has been and will be a real game changer for the Club. Following his decision to step down, I am sorry that he won’t be continuing the journey with us. However, looking to the future, I am thrilled to be taking up a more active role within the Club along with Adrian.”
Powerday, as principal owner of the business, is working with the shareholders to secure new investment to underpin the future growth plans for the Club and are progressing discussions on a number of fronts.
Content & Images from – London Irish 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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