Premiership
Saints name side for trip to Exeter Chiefs
Phil Dowson has named his first side of 2024, with Northampton Saints travelling to Exeter Chiefs in Round 11 of the Gallagher Premiership this Saturday (6 January, kick-off: 3pm). The men in Black, Green and Gold have won their last six matches in all competitions, most recently defeating Sale Sharks 21-17 to put themselves top of the league over the festive period – the first time they had been top of the Premiership pile since November 2019. Exeter and Saints have enjoyed an even run of form against each other in recent seasons, with the last eight fixtures between the two clubs evenly split to four wins apiece, while Saints have won two of their last three visits to Sandy Park. George Furbank – who signed on again with Saints earlier this week – leads the side for the tenth time in his career, looking to keep his unbeaten run as captain as he is joined by Ollie Sleightholme and Tom Litchfield in the back three at Sandy Park. Rory Hutchinson and Burger Odendaal man Saints’ centres again this Saturday, while Callum Braley makes his first appearance of the season to start at scrum-half for Northampton alongside Fin Smith in the half-back berths. Loosehead prop Tarek Haffar will make his first Premiership start as he packs down alongside Sam Matavesi and Trevor Davison in the front row, with Alex Moon and Chunya Munga behind them in the engine room. Alex Coles – who also signed a contract extension to remain at the Club this week – starts at blindside flanker this weekend and joins openside flanker Angus Scott-Young and No.8 Sam Graham to complete Saints’ starting line-up. And Dowson names a strong bench of replacements for the trip to Chiefs, with the likes of Curtis Langdon, Tom Pearson, Alex Mitchell, Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman all set to make an impact should they enter the action at Sandy Park. While Emmanuel Iyogun is named in Saints’ matchday 23 for the first time in the Premiership this term, as he prepares to make his return from a groin injury that has kept him sidelined since September. EXETER CHIEFS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTSGallagher Premiership, Round 11Saturday 6 January, 2023Sandy ParkKick-off: 3pm15 George Furbank (c)14 Ollie Sleightholme13 Burger Odendaal12 Rory Hutchinson11 Tom Litchfield10 Fin Smith9 Callum Braley1 Tarek Haffar2 Sam Matavesi3 Trevor Davison4 Alex Moon5 Chunya Munga6 Alex Coles7 Angus Scott-Young8 Sam GrahamReplacements:16 Curtis Langdon17 Emmanuel Iyogun18 Elliot Millar Mills19 Temo Mayanavanua20 Tom Pearson21 Alex Mitchell22 Fraser Dingwall23 Tommy FreemanNot available for selection:Juarno Augustus, George Hendy, Paul Hill, Tom James (suspended), Lewis Ludlam, James Ramm, Tom Seabrook and Alex Waller.EXETER TEAM TO FACE SAINTS:15 Tommy Wyatt, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Ben Hammersley, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stu Townsend; 1 Nika Abuladze, 2 Jack Yeandle, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4 Lewis Pearson, 5 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 6 Ethan Roots, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 8 Greg Fisilau.Replacements: 16 Max Norey, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Ehren Painter, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Zack Wimbush.Referee: Anthony WoodthorpeAssistant referees: George Selwood and Neil ChiversNo. 4: Paul DixTMO: David Rose
Phil Dowson has named his first side of 2024, with Northampton Saints travelling to Exeter Chiefs in Round 11 of the Gallagher Premiership this Saturday (6 January, kick-off: 3pm).
The men in Black, Green and Gold have won their last six matches in all competitions, most recently defeating Sale Sharks 21-17 to put themselves top of the league over the festive period – the first time they had been top of the Premiership pile since November 2019.
Exeter and Saints have enjoyed an even run of form against each other in recent seasons, with the last eight fixtures between the two clubs evenly split to four wins apiece, while Saints have won two of their last three visits to Sandy Park.
George Furbank – who signed on again with Saints earlier this week – leads the side for the tenth time in his career, looking to keep his unbeaten run as captain as he is joined by Ollie Sleightholme and Tom Litchfield in the back three at Sandy Park.
Rory Hutchinson and Burger Odendaal man Saints’ centres again this Saturday, while Callum Braley makes his first appearance of the season to start at scrum-half for Northampton alongside Fin Smith in the half-back berths.
Loosehead prop Tarek Haffar will make his first Premiership start as he packs down alongside Sam Matavesi and Trevor Davison in the front row, with Alex Moon and Chunya Munga behind them in the engine room.
Alex Coles – who also signed a contract extension to remain at the Club this week – starts at blindside flanker this weekend and joins openside flanker Angus Scott-Young and No.8 Sam Graham to complete Saints’ starting line-up.
And Dowson names a strong bench of replacements for the trip to Chiefs, with the likes of Curtis Langdon, Tom Pearson, Alex Mitchell, Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman all set to make an impact should they enter the action at Sandy Park. While Emmanuel Iyogun is named in Saints’ matchday 23 for the first time in the Premiership this term, as he prepares to make his return from a groin injury that has kept him sidelined since September.
EXETER CHIEFS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Gallagher Premiership, Round 11
Saturday 6 January, 2023
Sandy Park
Kick-off: 3pm
15 George Furbank (c)
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Burger Odendaal
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Tom Litchfield
10 Fin Smith
9 Callum Braley
1 Tarek Haffar
2 Sam Matavesi
3 Trevor Davison
4 Alex Moon
5 Chunya Munga
6 Alex Coles
7 Angus Scott-Young
8 Sam Graham
Replacements:
16 Curtis Langdon
17 Emmanuel Iyogun
18 Elliot Millar Mills
19 Temo Mayanavanua
20 Tom Pearson
21 Alex Mitchell
22 Fraser Dingwall
23 Tommy Freeman
Not available for selection:
Juarno Augustus, George Hendy, Paul Hill, Tom James (suspended), Lewis Ludlam, James Ramm, Tom Seabrook and Alex Waller.
EXETER TEAM TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Tommy Wyatt, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Ben Hammersley, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stu Townsend; 1 Nika Abuladze, 2 Jack Yeandle, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4 Lewis Pearson, 5 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 6 Ethan Roots, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 8 Greg Fisilau.
Replacements: 16 Max Norey, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Ehren Painter, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Zack Wimbush.
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
Assistant referees: George Selwood and Neil Chivers
No. 4: Paul Dix
TMO: David Rose
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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