Premiership
Sale Sharks academy drive continues ahead of 23/24 season
Nine of the North West’s brightest rugby talents will join the club’s Senior Academy next season
Seven players have signed full-time deals, while two join on bursary contracts
Sale Sharks continue to show their commitment to developing North West talent after announcing the signing of nine players to their Senior Academy set-up ahead of the 23-24 season.
The Sharks have agreed seven full-time contracts and two bursary contracts with nine of the brightest talents across the region. Among the new signings are three Welsh players, four from Greater Manchester, and two from Yorkshire with a total of six age-grade internationals.
Tighthead prop Tye Raymont, second-row Tom Burrow, flanker Frank Chatterton and scrum-half Will Wootton have all represented England 18s and sign full-time contracts with the club alongside Wales U18 centre Osian Roberts. Manchester Rugby club winger Albert Bradshaw and former rugby league-playing fly-half Finn Rogers also sign full-time contracts.
Alongside the seven full-time academy inductees, the Sharks also secure the signatures Wales U18 scrum-half Carwyn Edwards and versatile forward Wills Austin on bursary deals which will allow them to study at university alongside their rugby commitments.
Sharks Academy Manager Fergus Mulchrone said: “It’s another statement of intent from the club that they are willing to invest and back the great Northern talent coming through the pathway.
“This is an exciting group of players that have stood out in their respective schools, clubs and academies over the last few years, a testament to their teachers and rugby coaches in all environments.
“With a good combination of speed, power and skill in the group we’re looking forward to seeing them transition into the adult game over the next 12 months.
“It’s tough to say whether we’ll see any of the lads pushing for first team spots anytime soon – we need to see how they come in and adapt to the first team environment and full-time schedule. I’d like to think that all the ones coming in full-time will get some loan rugby in the national leagues next year so that will be a really good test for them. “It’s the first year we have been able to identify and recruit talent from the Yorkshire pathway & it’s been a great start with the signatures of Tom & Tye. Two sought after players who have had a strong season in the Yorkshire & England U18 programmes.”
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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.
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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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