Premiership
TEAM NEWS | Sale Sharks v Gloucester Rugby
Tom Roebuck, Raffi Quirke and Bevan Rodd return from England duty to take their places in a strong Sharks matchday squad to face Gloucester on Saturday (KO 1pm – live on BT Sport), as Alex Sanderson’s men look to return to winning ways in the Gallagher Premiership.
Jean-Luc du Preez and Akker van der Merwe are also back after missing the defeat at Saracens through injury while club stalwart Ross Harrison makes his first league start of the season against George Skivington’s side.
Despite Van der Merwe’s return to fitness following an ankle injury picked up against London Irish, Tommy Taylor keeps his place at hooker and he’s flanked by Harrison and Nick Schonert in the front row.
With Jonny Hill selected as part of the England squad to face Argentina at the weekend, ill HiJosh Beaumont starts again in the second row and he’s joined by Jean-Luc du Preez.
The back row is unchanged from the clash with Saracens at the StoneX, with captain Ben Curry joined by blindside flanker Jono Ross and Dan du Preez at number eight.
Gus Warr and Rob du Preez start together again at half-back with Sam Hill and the ever-present Sam James in the centres.
Roebuck goes straight back into the starting line-up after returning from England duty, and he’s joined in a pacy back three by Arron Reed and Joe Carpenter.
Van der Merwe, Rodd and James Harper provide front-row cover on the bench, with Sam Dugdale and Dom Barrow covering the rest of the forwards.
Raffi Quirke, Tom Curtis and Byron McGuigan are the backs replacements.
Speaking ahead of the game Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said he was glad to be able to call on some of his most important players after a bruising encounter at the StoneX in round eight.
He said: “We had five or six questions marks on Monday but they’ve all come through other than Si McIntyre and Tom O’Flaherty, who has broken his jaw.
“Everyone else is in a really positive place and we’re not far off having a full squad to pick from. This game is massive and that’s why I’m so excited.
Sale Sharks Starting XV:
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Sam James, 12. Sam Hill, 11. Arron Reed, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Ross Harrison, 2. Tommy Taylor, 3. Nick Schonert, 4. Jean-Luc du Preez, 5. Josh Beaumont, 6. Jono Ross, 7. Ben Curry ©, 8. Daniel du Preez
Replacements:
16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Bevan Rodd, 18. James Harper, 19. Dom Barrow, 20. Sam Dugdale, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Tom Curtis, 23. Byron McGuigan.
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.
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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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