Premiership
TEAM NEWS | Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks have named their side to face Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park in round two of the Premiership Rugby Cup on Tuesday. (Kick-off 7:45pm).
Senior academy coach Gareth Harris makes five changes to the starting line-up that were victorious over Leicester Tigers in round one and will be looking for another solid performance ahead of the Sharks’ journey north tomorrow night.
There are three changes to the Sharks pack as Sale offer opportunities for some of their senior academy squad in round two. In the front-row, Scotland international Ewan Ashman is replaced by exciting prospect Ethan Caine whilst Ben Carlile and Joe Jones retain their places on either side of the scrum.
Dom Barrow lines up in the second row and adds plenty of top-flight experience alongside recent signing Alex Groves.
Matt Postlethwaite keeps his places in the Sharks pack but starts at blindside flanker for the first time in a Sale shirt. The 6ft 3in Yorkshire man is joined by fellow academy graduates Sam Dugdale and Rouban Birch in the back row.
Nye Thomas and Kieran Wilkinson pair up again at half-back tomorrow night after a solid performance against Leicester in round one.
In the centres, Sam Hill is replaced at inside centre by the mercurial Tom Curtis, whilst Joe Bedlow remains in the thirteen shirt for tomorrow night’s northern derby.
In the back three Sale FC star Sammy Adu makes his Sharks debut after a string of impressive performances at Heywood Road. The National One flyer joins Premiership stalwart Byron McGuigan and senior academy full-back Elliot Gourlay.
On the bench, Harry Thompson, Tumy Onasanya and Cal Ford are named as front-row replacements with Ewan Murphy and Huw Davies offering further cover for the forwards. Cal Morris and Arron Pope cover the backs.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
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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