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TEAM NEWS | Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks

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England star Bevan Rodd makes his first start of the season and Raffi Quirke features in a matchday squad for the first time since April as Alex Sanderson makes four changes to his team to face Leicester Tigers in round four of the Gallagher Premiership (KO 3pm, Saturday, October 8 – live on PRTV).

Rodd is joined in the Sharks XV by fellow England internationals Tom Curry, Jonny Hill and Manu Tuilagi while prop Nic Schonert returns from suspension to face Steve Borthwick’s men at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Tom Curry captains the side in the absence of brother Ben, who has had the armband during Sharks’ unbeaten start to the Premiership season, while Josh Beaumont returns to the bench alongside Quirke, who features for the first time since injuring his hamstring against Bristol Bears in last season’s Heineken Champions Cup.

Schonert and Rodd line up either side of the league’s form hooker Akker van der Merwe in a power-packed Sharks front row.

Fresh from another commanding performance in round four against Exeter, Jonny Hill and Cobus Wiese make up the Sharks second-row.

Of the five players who made the most dominant tackle contacts in round four, four came from Sharks – Ben Curry (seven), Jean-Luc du Preez (six), Akker van der Merwe (five) and Dan du Preez (five) – while the weekend’s top tackler was Tom Curry with 21 tackles.

And a Sharks back-row of Jono Ross and Tom Curry either side of Jean-Luc du Preez at number eight will need another big performance against a Tigers pack smarting from a 51-18 reversal against Saracens.

Despite Raffi’s return, Gus Warr keeps his place at scrum-half and he’ll line up at half-back again alongside in-form Rob du Preez.

The backs are unchanged from the win against Exeter with Manu Tuilagi taking his place alongside Sam James in the centres, and Tom O’Flaherty and Tom Roebuck on the wings.

Last week’s man of the match Joe Carpenter starts again at full-back after his try-scoring debut against the Chiefs.

Ewan Ashman, Simon McIntyre and Coenie Oosthuizen provide power and front-row experience on the replacements bench, and further forwards cover comes from Josh Beaumont and Sam Dugdale.

The backs are covered by the returning Quirke as well as Sam Hill and Arron Reed.

Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby


Premiership

SHARKS TO SIGN FIJI SKIPPER NAYACALEVU

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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. 

Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby


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Falcons star to join Saracens

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Phil Brantingham to join Saracens

Tuesday 05 March 2024 Written by: Tom Grisedale

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


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Premiership

WIESE SET TO RETURN TO SA

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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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