Premiership
Team news: Radwan returns against London Irish
Friday 2 December 2022
Adam Radwan comes in for Newcastle Falcons as they make just one change for Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership trip to London Irish.
Ben Stevenson and Matias Moroni both move one place infield, with Radwan coming onto the right wing as the Falcons set out in search of their third consecutive league victory.
Last week’s replacements Logovi’i Mulipola, Matias Orlando, Sean Robinson and Freddie Lockwood all miss out due to injuries picked up in the 24-21 home win over Exeter Chiefs, with Mark Tampin, Tian Schoeman, Matthew Dalton and Tom Marshall called up.
Michael Young once again captains the side from scrum-half, with head coach Dave Walder expecting a tough test as the Falcons go hunting their third consecutive Premiership victory.
He said: “We’re putting a lot of significance on finishing this block with three Premiership wins, but London Irish are a good side.
“Nobody in the league has got more bonus points than them this season, and they cause teams a lot of problems. Things just haven’t gone their way in certain games but we’re very aware they’re going to threaten us, and we’ll need to get our own game right to have a chance of winning.
“We’re really looking forward to going down there on the back of a couple of good wins in the league, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. We’ve still got plenty of bits and pieces to tighten up on, and it’s about finding that balance of highlighting your good work whilst also acknowledging where you need to improve.
“London Irish will be desperate to get their season on track, we’re very aware it’s a huge game for them but it’s also a really significant one for ourselves in terms of really pushing and looking up the table.”
Having been involved in a number of close battles in recent weeks, Walder said: “The Premiership is as competitive as I’ve ever seen it, and every week there seems to be a load of games going down to the wire.
“It makes for a great spectacle, and if you come out on the right side of it it makes you feel a lot better. One of these days we might actually win a game where the result’s not in jeopardy going into the last couple of minutes, but until then we’ll just continue giving everyone a bit of drama!
“Mark Laycock has taken charge of the attack this season, he has changed a few things and we’re playing a great brand of rugby. We’re scoring more tries now than we have done for a while, and it’s something we can really build on as we look to move the club forward.”
Saturday’s game will be the Falcons’ first outing since the sad news of Doddie Weir’s passing, with the Falcons legend receiving widespread tributes from within the game and beyond.
“It’s very sad news about Doddie, he’s been in all of our thoughts and I’m sure clubs throughout the competition will be paying appropriate tributes to him,” said Walder, who scored the winning try for the Falcons in the 2001 Tetley’s Bitter Cup final, when Weir captained the side.
“There are lots of pictures of him around our stadium, and it’s been nice in those quiet moments during the week to go round and have a look at him lifting a trophy, taking a line-out and just having that smile on his face which everyone associates him with.
“We’ve all got great memories of Doddie, and even before the news came through over the weekend we had his partner in crime, Gary Armstrong, come in to speak to the players last week. Gary spoke about how much it meant for him to play for Newcastle Falcons, having fun and battling for your mates, which very much typifies how Doddie used to approach things.”
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Newcastle Falcons team v London Irish (Saturday, 3pm, Gtech Community Stadium)
15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Ben Stevenson, 12 Matias Moroni, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Michael Young (captain); 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Richard Palframan, 4 Greg Peterson, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Callum Chick, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Carl Fearns.
Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Conrad Cade, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Matthew Dalton, 20 Tom Marshall, 21 Sam Stuart, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23 Tom Penny.
Not available for selection: Phil Brantingham, Sam Clark, Connor Collett, Gary Graham, Louie Johnson, Conor Kenny, Freddie Lockwood, Pete Lucock, Logovi’i Mulipola, Matias Orlando, Sean Robinson, Oliver Spencer, Philip van der Walt, George Wacokecoke, Will Welch.
Referee: Wayne Barnes.
Source – Newcastle Falcons 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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