Premiership
Scotland centre makes Premiership switch.
Good business from the Falcons
Newcastle Falcons today revealed via their website that they have bolstered their midfield options for the 2nd half of the current season by signing Scotland and Glasgow Warriors centre Alex Dunbar.
The 28-year-old has been training with Scotland ahead of this weekend’s Six Nations opener, but has linked up with Newcastle today following his release from the national squad.
Capped 31 times by his country and with seven test tries to his name, the 6 ft 3 star played in Scotland’s November tests against Wales, Fiji and Argentina.
Dunbar has made 92 Pro 14 appearances in his nine and a half seasons with Glasgow and a further 27 in the Champions Cup, director of rugby Dean Richards welcoming his arrival on Tyneside.
“Alex is a very experienced operator at the top level who will help give us the strength and quality we need during the back half of the Gallagher Premiership season.
“He brings real physicality to the game, he picks great lines and he will offer us valuable competition in an important area of the side between now and the end of the season.”
Dunbar said:
“Coming down to Newcastle for the rest of the season gives me a great opportunity to play some rugby, and I’m excited by the prospects here.
“I’ve trained with the squad today, everyone has been really welcoming and I’m just keen to get stuck in.
“I’ve watched a number of Newcastle’s games and they play an exciting brand of rugby, I know quite a few of the boys from the Scotland squad and this is a great chance for me to hopefully get some game time.
“The Gallagher Premiership is a really high-quality competition, I’ve been keen to test myself in that environment and it’s now just a case of trying to get up to speed with all the calls and patterns and pushing my case for selection.”
Glasgow have the option in the deal to recall the Center at any time.
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach, Dave Rennie, said:
“Alex is a good man and has given everything to the club on and off the pitch for the best part of a decade.
“We have a lot of competition at centre and this is a good opportunity for him to go and play more regularly and test himself in a different competition.
“We wish him and Lois all the best in Newcastle.”
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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