Premiership
Sale legend announces retirement and testimonial year
Scrum-half Will Cliff to hang up his boots at the end of the 22/23 season
The 34-year-old has played more than 200 games for Sale since his debut in 2007
‘Cliffy’ will mark his retirement with a testimonial year
Sharks scrum-half Will Cliff has confirmed that he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the current Premiership season.
The 34-year-old fans’ favourite, who played his junior rugby at Sandbach, made his Sharks debut in 2007 and has played more than 200 games for the club.
And that service to his childhood club will be marked and celebrated with a testimonial year, which kicks off with a special match at the CorpAcq Stadium on June 24 between a team made up of Cliffy’s Sharks Legends and a Premiership Legends XV.
The year-long calendar of events will raise money for three charities close to Will’s heart: the Sale Sharks Foundation, The Joshua Tree and Project Restart.
After rising through the age groups at Sandbach, Will played for Macclesfield, Manchester RUFC and attended Myerscough College before being handed a professional contract at the age of 18.
He made his first team debut in 2007 against Bath in the EDF Cup at Edgeley Park and went on to play 113 times for the club before joining Bristol ahead of the 2015/16 season.
After two years in the South West, Will rejoined Sharks in 2017 and went on to make a further 120 appearances before making the decision to retire.
Will said: “It feels like the right time to be hanging up my boots. It’s daunting and emotional because this is all I’ve done since I left school, but I’ve had a brilliant career and there’s nothing I’d change.
“It’s been so special to play so many times for my childhood club. I can remember watching Sale at Edgeley Park with my dad as child and I don’t think I ever dreamed I would get to pull on the shirt once, let alone play so many times.
“I’ve made friends for life and I’ve got memories that will last a lifetime, from both on and off the pitch. The best memories are from big wins against some of the best teams in Europe, and games when maybe relegation was on the line and we’ve all pulled together and won.
“It’s meant everything to play for Sale and after 16 years it’s going to be difficult to take my nametag off my locker. There’s lot about this lifestyle and this club that I’ll miss but I can’t wait to come back and watch the boys and I’m really excited about what’s coming next for me and for the club.”
Injury has restricted his appearances this season but Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson says ‘Cliffy’ has remained a big character in the dressing room.
He said: “Cliffy is one of the longest-serving and most loved Sale Sharks players ever and we’ve had a few good players here. He’s epitomised everything good about this club in the last 16 years and he’s loved by players, staff and fans alike.
“When you get to know him, you realise that he’s not just the pulse of this place on the field, but he’s at the heart of everything off it too, and there is going to be a huge void to fill when he does hang up his boots.
“The testimonial year is a really important way of everyone saying thank you to Cliffy for everything he’s done, not just for the club but for rugby in this region.”
For more information about Will Cliff’s testimonial year, visit www.cliffy9.com.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks 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.
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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.
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