Premiership
Ollie Sleightholme signs contract extension at Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints can today confirm that Ollie Sleightholme has signed a new contract to remain at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.The 22-year-old wing – formerly of Northampton Old Scouts and Northampton School for Boys – joined Saints’ first-team squad on a full-time basis ahead of the 2018/19 season, having graduated from the Club’s Academy (which he initially joined aged 13).Sleightholme has since scored 25 tries in 53 appearances in Black, Green and Gold, and scooped both of Northampton’s Try of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.With six scores in just nine appearances so far this term, Sleightholme is already looking to kick on again for Saints for the remainder of the 2022/23 season and beyond.“Northampton Saints is my home and everything about the place made me want to stay here for longer,” he said.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Saints legend Jon, Sleightholme made his first-team debut against Bristol Bears in the 2018/19 Premiership Rugby Cup before taking just 15 seconds to score on his Gallagher Premiership debut against Wasps that same season.
The rapid wing had earned his first contract after catching the eye for Saints’ Under-18s and Premiership Rugby 7s sides.
Sleightholme earned a silver medal with England Sevens during the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas, and represented the Red Rose at Under-18 and Under-20 level – playing in the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship. An injury prevented him from earning a first senior cap in 2021 after being called into England’s summer training camp.
But the 2021/22 campaign saw him play his most rugby in a single season to date, as Sleightholme made 15 appearances to help Saints qualify for the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals, while he was joined in Northampton’s senior ranks by his younger brother, Frankie, during the summer.
Saints’ Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson, said: “Ollie is a tremendous athlete, and someone who always works very, very hard to improve himself for the team.
“His finishing ability is obvious from his excellent record of scoring tries, but he’s also a really popular member of the group and a great lad to be around – which is what we want here.
“Ollie’s a local guy and one of the many homegrown players in our squad who we are very proud of. It’s absolutely imperative we keep characters like him in Northampton, so we’re delighted to see him sign on again, and we’re looking forward to getting him back from injury soon.”
Content & Images from – Northampton Saints 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.
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