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New deals for homegrown Sharks

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Simon McIntyre, Joe Jones, Tommy Taylor, Ewan Murphy, Rouban Birch, Sam Dugdale, Cal Ford and Arron Reed have all committed their futures to the club

Club has triggered extensions for twelve more first team players

Sale Sharks is delighted to announce that academy graduates Simon McIntyre, Joe Jones, Tommy Taylor, Ewan Murphy, Rouban Birch, Sam Dugdale, Cal Ford and Arron Reed have all signed new contracts with the club.

The homegrown eight, who have all featured in Alex Sanderson’s first team squad this season, have put pen to paper on deals committing their futures to the club where their careers began.

Forwards Birch and Dugdale, who have both been given player of the match awards this season, have signed new three-year deals, while hooker Taylor and winger Reed have agreed two-year extensions.

Props McIntyre, Jones and Ford have signed one-year extensions with McIntyre and Jones agreeing a further year option for the club.

And back-row forward Murphy has signed a similar deal – his first as a professional – following his three-year university bursary contract.

In addition, the club has taken up two-year extension options with Bevan Rodd, Raffi Quirke, Rob du Preez, Tom Roebuck and Joe Carpenter, and one-year extension options with Sam James, Tom Curtis, Tumy Onasanya, Ethan Caine, Ben Bamber, Connor Doherty and Joe Bedlow.

Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said: “This is massive news for this club and it’s another demonstration of how committed we are to developing young, exciting, northern talent.

“We have big constraints on us with the salary cap reductions and you can see from other clubs that maybe some players in the league perhaps weren’t willing to sacrifice any money.

“That hasn’t been the case with us. We’ve had tough conversations any across the board the lads want to stay for extra security and because they know that we want them and they believe that we’re building something here.

“These lads are the fibres of the fabric of the north. They are buying into something that’s bigger than just them.

“Getting to play week in, week out with your best mates at a club that values you, is the best and I don’t know if you truly understand that until you move away.

“We’re very lucky to have these lads.”

Images & Content from Sale Sharks 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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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.  

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