Premiership
Team news: Tait skippers Falcons on Saturday
Friday 10 February 2023
Newcastle Falcons have named their side for Saturday’s home game against Southern Knights as both teams unite to raise funds for My Name’5 Doddie.
The foundation raises funds and awareness for research into motor neurone disease, the currently incurable condition which last year claimed the life of former Falcons, Scotland and Melrose great Doddie Weir.
Ticket sales for the 1.30pm kick-off will help generate money for the charity, with Newcastle captained by double centurion Alex Tait.
Fijian flyer Vereimi Qorowale starts on the wing in partnership with Iwan Stephens – centre Zach Kerr starting after the recent announcement of his new two-year contract.
Josh Thomas and Josh Barton form an exciting half-back pairing, with Argentina international Pedro Rubiolo starting in the back row.
Newcastle University lock Adam Scott is named among the replacements for a game which is included on the Falcons’ season ticket, and will be followed at 4.30pm when the club’s Under-18s team plays against Northampton Saints Under-18s.
Falcons head coach Dave Walder, a former team-mate of Doddie Weir during his time at Kingston Park, said: “Hopefully the North East sporting public will come out in their numbers and support a great cause in Doddie’s foundation.
“Having not had a game for a couple of weeks it’s a great chance for some of our lads to get a run-out, and it should be a great occasion with all the love and admiration that people have for Doddie.
“He would have said he hated all the attention but I think secretly he would have loved it, and it’s only right that we do our bit to try and raise funds to find a cure for motor neurone disease.”
After the game Walder will form part of a panel of Falcons legends taking part in a Q&A in the West Stand 100 Club, with team-mates Stuart Grimes, Tony Underwood, Garath Archer and Micky Ward reminiscing about Doddie and sharing stories from their playing days.
Click here to reserve your place at the talk-in, with a suggested donation of £5 to My Name’5 Doddie.
Click here to buy your tickets for the game, which is not being televised or streamed online.
Newcastle Falcons team v Southern Knights (Saturday, 1.30pm, Kingston Park Stadium)
15 Alex Tait (captain), 14 Vereimi Qorowale, 13 Zach Kerr, 12 Pete Lucock, 11 Iwan Stephens, 10 Josh Thomas, 9 Josh Barton; 1 Conrad Cade, 2 Ollie Fletcher, 3 Mark Tampin, 4 Matthew Dalton, 5 Freddie Lockwood, 6 Pedro Rubiolo, 7 Marcus Tiffen, 8 Tom Marshall.
Replacements: 16 Charlie Smith, 17 Mark Dormer, 18 Conor Kenny, 19 Adam Scott, 20 Matt Deehan, 21 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti, 22 Jeremy Civil, 23 Chidera Obonna.
Referee: George Selwood.
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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