Premiership
Sharks sign Argentina hooker Creevy
Former Argentina captain Agustín Creevy has signed a one-year deal
The 38-year-old has played for London Irish and Worcester Warriors in the Premiership
Sale Sharks have agreed a deal to sign Argentina and former London Irish hooker Agustín Creevy ahead of the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership season.
The 38-year-old, who is his country’s most capped player with 97 international appearances, has signed a one-year contract after being left without a club when the Exiles were suspended from the league.
Agustín got his first taste of the Premiership when he joined Worcester Warriors in 2013. After a two-year spell at Sixways, he returned to Argentina to play for the Jaguares, before joining Irish in 2020.
He was a regular in the London Irish squad throughout the 2020/21 season, making 21 appearances in all competitions.
The former Pumas skipper scored the most tries for London Irish in the 2021/22 campaign, leading from the front and dotting down an astounding 18 times in all competitions.
After a two-year absence, Agustín was recalled to represent his nation for the 2022 summer internationals, and he’s currently part of the Pumas squad looking forward to the Rugby Championship and matches against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
Speaking after putting pen to paper on a deal to join Alex Sanderson’s Sharks, Agustín said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me. I had other options but I knew straight away that Sale was the right club for me.
“I want to finish my career at a team at the top and I think Sale is one of the biggest clubs in England and Europe. I really think we can compete for big trophies this year
“The club just missed out on winning the Premiership last year but there is still a lot of ambition to keep improving.
“I know it’s a young squad too, so I hope I can use my experience to help some of the younger players and to help the team to achieve success.”
Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said: “Agustín is a really good lad and his experience and know-how is going to be invaluable for our younger players.
“He just wants to give as much as he can, and he wants the final years of his playing career to be spent at a club challenging for trophies.
“We feel really lucky to have him because he’s had a lot of offers and turned them down. He was waiting for the right opportunity and this is a deal that works for us and for him.”
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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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