Premiership
Saints confirm captain for 22/23 season
Lewis Ludlam will continue in his role as Club Captain for Northampton Saints for the 2022/23 season.The 26-year-old England flanker led the men in Black, Green and Gold to the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals last term courtesy of a fourth-place finish in the league standings. Ludlam also brought up a century of appearances for Saints in a season in which he led the side 22 times and scored four tries for Northampton.A product of the Club’s Academy system, Ludlam was named skipper in a solo capacity for the first time last season, and Director of Rugby Phil Dowson had no hesitation in asking the industrious back row to continue.“We thought Lewis did an excellent job as captain last year, ably assisted by so many others within the squad,” he said. “We’re blessed to have Courtney Lawes and Dan Biggar – captains of their countries – here, as well as the likes of Fraser Dingwall, Dave Ribbans and Alex Coles whose leadership was superb last season.“But Luds was outstanding in what was his first season on his own in the role. First and foremost, he’s always a big driver of energy for us. His aggressive and dynamic style of play means people want to follow him, but that’s also mirrored in his leadership off the field.
“Within the group, he’s happy to allow the space for people with a tactical mindset to provide any insight necessary to help the team, which is a characteristic you need.
“Clearly being the captain is not just about what you do on a matchday; it’s also about what you do in the week – coming to the coaches to ask for clarity on anything or suggesting new ideas, it’s really important to have an open dialogue to drive the group forward, which we have with Lewis.”
Ludlam is the 65th captain of Northampton Saints since the Club’s inception in 1880. As well as making 101 appearances in Black, Green and Gold to date, the flanker has amassed 14 caps for England – successfully touring Australia this summer with the Red Rose.
After bursting into the spotlight during the 2018/19 campaign to become a first-team regular, the Ipswich-born back row earned his first international call-up in the summer of 2019 and went on to feature at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
While he will be unavailable for selection until Round 3 of this season’s Gallagher Premiership due to the mandatory rest period for England’s players after the summer tour, Ludlam is determined to lead Saints from the front again this season and reward Northampton’s coaches for placing their confidence in him with another string of imperious performances in 2022/23.
He said: “With a change in the regime you can never be 100 per cent sure of being asked to do it again, especially with so many great leaders in the squad, but I’m really happy that Dows has trusted me and given me the opportunity again this season.
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.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
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