Premiership
Open letter from London Irish Chief Executive Mark Bensted
To all London Irish supporters and the rugby community at large,
I hope you are all looking forward to another entertaining season of Gallagher Premiership rugby. I can assure you that the team – on and off the pitch – here at Hazelwood have been working extremely hard to make sure the London Irish experience lives up to the high standards we have set.
To open what promises to be another exciting campaign, London Irish welcomes Worcester Warriors to the Gtech Community Stadium for the first round of the Gallagher Premiership this coming Saturday, 10th September (kick-off 3pm).
Recent events at Worcester Warriors have been extremely concerning, and I speak on behalf of all at London Irish in sending our best wishes and support to everyone involved at the Club.
In difficult times like these, it is crucial that everyone involved in the sport rallies round to support their Clubs and to show acts of solidarity wherever possible.
With confirmation that our opening Gallagher Premiership match against Worcester Warriors will go ahead, I would very much like to encourage you all – supporters of both Clubs and the wider rugby family, including supporters of Harlequins, Saracens and Richmond who don’t have a home match this weekend – to attend the game on Saturday in what promises to be a special occasion.
Our last encounter with Worcester Warriors – at the Premiership Cup Final – was a very exciting contest between two committed teams. I’m sure this Saturday’s meeting will be no different and live up to expectations.
All Worcester Warriors staff, players and supporters will feel a very warm London Irish welcome this Saturday, and I would encourage the wider rugby community to come along and show their respect and appreciation for them all.
Thank you all for your continued support, and I hope to see you all at the Gtech Community Stadium this Saturday. You can book tickets here.
Regards,
Mark Bensted
Chief Executive
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
Munster Rugby Announce Contract Deals For Murray, Daly & Gleeson
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Cardiff At Thomond
