Premiership
Solomons commits to Worcester Warriors until 2022
Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons has committed himself to the club until the end of the 2021/22 season.
Solomons’ existing contract expires at the end of next season but he has now signed a two-year extension.
“Jason Whittingham and I both think Alan has done a great job of managing the team and rugby department since starting at Warriors,” said Warriors co-owner Colin Goldring.
“We both support his vision and plan to achieve a sustainable top flight team with the Three Pears Warriors Academy at its core, supported by top-class talented and experienced players.
“We are delighted that Alan has signed his contract extension which ensures continuity and stability.”
Solomons joined Warriors in October 2017, initially as a consultant, and was appointed Director of Rugby two months later.
Solomons helped Warriors secure their Gallagher Premiership status in his first season in charge and to a record-equalling nine Premiership wins, a place in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals and the Premiership Rugby Cup semi-finals this season.
“I am honoured to be afforded the privilege of being part of Warriors’ continuing journey and look forward to working with Colin and Jason and all concerned to realise our vision for the club,” Solomons said.
Solomons, a former lawyer, was Head Coach of Western Province and The Stormers Super Rugby team and took the Stormers to their first-ever home semi-final in 1999. He was also part of South Africa’s coaching team that guided the Springboks to a record-equalling 17 consecutive Test wins and finished third in the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
During Solomon’s time in charge of Ulster Rugby they won the Celtic Cup in 2003 and in the same year were runners up in the Celtic League. He was voted Northern Ireland Coach/Manager of the Year in 2003.
Solomons was then High Performance Consultant for the International Rugby Board from 2007 to 2010 and in 2009 coached the Southern Kings in their debut match against the British and Irish Lions.
He coached the Eastern Province Kings to three successive Division One finals, lifting the trophy in 2010 and 2012 before taking the Southern Kings into Super Rugby in 2013.
Solomons then coached Edinburgh,taking them to a first ever European Challenge Cup final and winning back-to-back 1872 Cups against Glasgow.
Solomons has also been Director of Rugby of USA Eagles and coached Northampton Saints and the Barbarians.
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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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