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Premiership

RFU End All Domestic Campaigns Bar the Premiership

The English Rugby Football Union has put an end to all its domestic competitions with the only exception of the Premiership due to coronavirus

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(Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

The English Rugby Football Union has cancelled the remainder of all domestic competitions in English rugby this season bar the Premiership due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Premiership Rugby has been suspended for at least five-weeks, but whether or not it will resume on then remains to be seen. 

However, the biggest question mark will surround the Championship, with the Newcastle Falcons currently sitting comfortably in first place and looking like returning to the top-flight after a year’s absence. 

With Saracens already confirmed to be relegated following breaches of the salary cap regulations, it appears likely that the Falcons will be given their place, but there were games remaining in the Championship and certain teams may feel hard-done-by if that scenario plays out. 

Speaking on the decision to cut-short almost all domestic rugby, Bill Sweeney, the RFU’s chief executive confirmed that they are trying to figure out the best solution to how all competitions will be concluded without being played. 

“We are working through the implications of ending the season early and have instigated a thorough process to ensure fair and balanced outcomes for the game. We will communicate these outcomes by the middle of April. While we would like to provide all the answers now, we need some time to get it right for the best interests of the game,” he said. 

As well as having to deal with the remainder of the season, Sweeney admitted that this year will be a huge financial loss due to the virus and several other factors. 

“We benefit from strong Twickenham stadium revenues but we are also exposed if there is widespread cancellation of games and events. This was already budgeted to be a loss-making year within a 4-year cycle due to the costs of the 2019 RWC (Rugby World Cup) campaign and only hosting two home Six Nations games. The loss will now be considerably more as we face challenges similar to businesses across the entire country,” he added. 

The news from the RFU follows that of a similar vein to the announcement from the Irish Rugby Football Union yesterday, who cancelled the remainder of their domestic campaigns, while their provinces wait to see if they can conclude the PRO14 season, with everything up in the air at the moment.


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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Premiership

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.  

Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby


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