Premiership
Quartet added to Tigers 23/24 squad
Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar has confirmed four additions to the Senior Squad ahead of the 23/24 season.
Included within the quartet of signings is a returning Tiger, who made more than 80 appearances for Leicester in four seasons at the club, and an international scrum-half who previously worked with McKellar down under.
The four additions are:
- Joe Powell (scrum-half)
- Matt Rogerson (back-row)
- Kieran Wilkinson (fly-half)
- Mike Williams (lock / back-row)
JOE POWELL
The 29-year-old makes the move to the East Midlands after a season with London Irish, who he joined after eight years of Super Rugby.
Born in Canberra, the scrum-half made his senior rugby debut for the Canberra Vikings in Australia’s National Rugby Championship before stepping up to professional rugby with his Super Rugby debut in 2015 for the Brumbies, where he played for Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar.
After previously representing Australia at Under-20 age-grade level, Powell’s senior Test debut came in 2017 against Fiji.
Powell started in the Brumbies 2020 Super Rugby AU Final victory over The Queensland Reds ahead of moving to the Melbourne Rebels for two seasons before joining the Gallagher Premiership with The Exiles in 2022.
Speaking about the signing, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar said: “Joe is an experienced scrum-half who has played at the highest level in the game and I am really excited about having him join us at Leicester Tigers.”
“I have spoken openly about the type of players we want at Tigers, the type of character I want in the group and a young man of Joe’s qualities on and off the pitch fit well and truly within that.”
“It’s no secret we are likely to be without Jack [van Poortvliet] and Ben [Youngs] during the World Cup, so certainly in need of depth at scrum-half and I am pleased we have been able to add that with the quality of Joe.”
MATT ROGERSON
The back-rower makes the move to Tigers from London Irish, who he made more than 100 appearances for during five seasons – including the final two as club captain.
Born in Lancaster, he played his youth rugby with Vale of Lune before attending Loughborough University, where he represented Loughborough Students.
Rogerson made his professional debut for Sale Sharks and spent two seasons in the North West of England before a lone campaign in The Championship with Jersey Reds for the 2017/18 campaign ahead of joining The Exiles.
Speaking about the signing, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar said: “It is great to be welcoming a player of Matt’s experience and character to Leicester Tigers.”
“He is a tried and tested player in the Premiership and adds important depth and competition to our back row ranks.”
“You don’t play a century of games in this league without a certain level of toughness and commitment, as well as plenty of talent, and Matt has shown that over a number of years now.”
“His class and character has shone through in recent time, when captain of London Irish, to lead his playing group through such a tumultuous period and it is that type of person we want representing Leicester Tigers.”
Content & Images from – Leicester Tigers 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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