Premiership
Saints name side for preseason friendly at Ospreys
Northampton Saints have named a 31-man squad to face Ospreys in the Club’s final preseason friendly ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, with Alex Mitchell leading the side out at Dunraven Brewery Field.The 25-year-old England international is named as captain of a Saints side for the first time in his career – while Fraser Dingwall, Ollie Sleightholme, and Juarno Augustus all start the clash to also make their first appearances of preseason.Sleightholme joins George Hendy and new signing James Ramm in Northampton’s back three, while Dingwall lines up in the midfield with Matt Proctor, and Mitchell will hope to pull the strings from the half-back berths alongside James Grayson.Up front, Emmanuel Iyogun, Mike Haywood and Paul Hill make up the front row, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Alex Coles packing down in Saints’ engine room for the second week running.Augustus – statistically the most destructive carrier of any forward in the Premiership, TOP 14, URC and Super Rugby last season with a gainline success rate of 75% – pulls on the No.8 jersey, with Angus Scott-Young and Sam Graham rounding off the back row having both made their first starts in Northampton colours last weekend.Meanwhile Sam Matavesi, Brandon Nansen and Aaron Hinkley are all named amongst the replacements for Saints and are also poised to make their first appearances of preseason when they enter the action.OSPREYS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTSPreseason FriendlyFriday 2 SeptemberDunraven Brewery FieldKick-off: 7pm15 George Hendy14 Ollie Sleightholme13 Matt Proctor12 Fraser Dingwall11 James Ramm10 James Grayson9 Alex Mitchell (c)1 Emmanuel Iyogun2 Mike Haywood3 Paul Hill4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto5 Alex Coles6 Angus Scott-Young7 Sam Graham8 Juarno AugustusReplacements:Alex WallerSam MatavesiRobbie SmithAlfie PetchOisín HeffernanAlex MoonBrandon NansenAaron HinkleyGeordie IrvineCallum BraleyTom JamesMatt ArdenTom CollinsJoel MatavesiTom LitchfieldCourtnall Skosan
Northampton Saints have named a 31-man squad to face Ospreys in the Club’s final preseason friendly ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, with Alex Mitchell leading the side out at Dunraven Brewery Field.
The 25-year-old England international is named as captain of a Saints side for the first time in his career – while Fraser Dingwall, Ollie Sleightholme, and Juarno Augustus all start the clash to also make their first appearances of preseason.
Sleightholme joins George Hendy and new signing James Ramm in Northampton’s back three, while Dingwall lines up in the midfield with Matt Proctor, and Mitchell will hope to pull the strings from the half-back berths alongside James Grayson.
Up front, Emmanuel Iyogun, Mike Haywood and Paul Hill make up the front row, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Alex Coles packing down in Saints’ engine room for the second week running.
Augustus – statistically the most destructive carrier of any forward in the Premiership, TOP 14, URC and Super Rugby last season with a gainline success rate of 75% – pulls on the No.8 jersey, with Angus Scott-Young and Sam Graham rounding off the back row having both made their first starts in Northampton colours last weekend.
Meanwhile Sam Matavesi, Brandon Nansen and Aaron Hinkley are all named amongst the replacements for Saints and are also poised to make their first appearances of preseason when they enter the action.
OSPREYS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Preseason Friendly
Friday 2 September
Dunraven Brewery Field
Kick-off: 7pm
15 George Hendy
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Matt Proctor
12 Fraser Dingwall
11 James Ramm
10 James Grayson
9 Alex Mitchell (c)
1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Mike Haywood
3 Paul Hill
4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5 Alex Coles
6 Angus Scott-Young
7 Sam Graham
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
Alex Waller
Sam Matavesi
Robbie Smith
Alfie Petch
Oisín Heffernan
Alex Moon
Brandon Nansen
Aaron Hinkley
Geordie Irvine
Callum Braley
Tom James
Matt Arden
Tom Collins
Joel Matavesi
Tom Litchfield
Courtnall Skosan
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
Munster Rugby Announce Contract Deals For Murray, Daly & Gleeson
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Cardiff At Thomond
