Premiership
Team News | Retired players rally to Warriors’ cause
Warriors Academy Backs and Transition Coach Jonny Goodridge and former player Mat Gilbert have come out of retirement to help the club fulfil Wednesday’s opening match in the defence of the Premiership Rugby Cup against Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm (7.45pm).
Goodridge, 41, had six seasons as a full-back with Gloucester in a career that also included stints with Leeds Carnegie and Bristol before he moved into coaching.
Although it is nine years since Goodridge played competitive rugby he regularly takes part in Warriors’ training sessions and will make his club debut if he comes off the bench at Kingsholm.
Flanker Gilbert, who retired from playing at the end of last season, has also been named as a replacement at Gloucester.
The former England Deaf international last played for Warriors in 2016 after a two season stint at Sixways and he also played for Llanelli, Mogliano, Bath, Hartpury and Cinderford before he retired in April to run his own pizza business.
Gilbert is one of five guest players in the matchday squad joining lock Ollie Curry, back-row forwards Lewis Barrett and Ethan Parkins and replacement hooker Will Tanner.
England Under-18 international Theo Mayall will make his Warriors debut having joined the Three Pears Warriors Academy this season.
Wing Alex Wills and tighthead prop Will Couch, who are also newcomers to the Senior Academy, are in line for their debuts off the bench.
Lock Graham Kitchener, who came off the bench in the Gallagher Premiership matches against London Irish and Exeter Chiefs, is the only player in tonight’s matchday squad to have played this season.
Warriors | 15 Tobi Wilson, 14 Harri Doel, 13 Oli Morris, 12 Will Butler (C), 11 Tom Howe, 10 Charlie Titcombe, 9 Ollie Wynn, 1 Kai Owen, 2 Finn Theobald-Thomas, 3 Jack Owlett, 4 Ollie Curry, 5 Graham Kitchener, 6 Theo Mayell, 7 Lewis Barrett, 8 Ethan Parkins.
Replacements | 16 Will Tanner, 17 Lewis Holsey, 18 Will Couch, 20 Mat Gilbert, 21 Tom Miles, 22 Alex Wills, 23 Jonny Goodridge.
Images & Content from Worcester Warriors
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
Munster Rugby Announce Contract Deals For Murray, Daly & Gleeson
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Cardiff At Thomond
