Premiership
Team News | Tigers side to play Harlequins
Richard Wigglesworth has named the Leicester Tigers matchday squad to play Harlequins in Round 24 of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership.
Julián Montoya will captain the team at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday afternoon.
Wigglesworth has made six changes to the starting side from the last league outing at home to Exeter Chiefs in Round 22.
In the back-three, Mike Brown returns at full-back, while Harry Potter starts on one wing and Chris Ashton retains his place on the other.
In the midfield, Guy Porter will feature for the first time in five weeks after overcoming a hand injury to partner Dan Kelly.
Ben Youngs is the starting half-back alongside Handré Pollard at fly-half.
Up front, Tom West and Dan Cole are the props, Montoya the hooker and, in the second row, Harry Wells is named for his first appearance in eight weeks alongside Cameron Henderson.
The back row of Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell and Jasper Wiese remains unchanged from the last match three weeks ago.
Charlie Clare, Francois van Wyk, Joe Heyes, Finn Carnduff and Olly Cracknell are the replacement forwards.
The 19-year-old Carnduff will make his debut Premiership appearance if used.
Jack van Poortvliet, Jimmy Gopperth and Matt Scott are the backs included on the bench.
STARTING XV
15 Mike Brown [6]
14 Chris Ashton [26]
13 Guy Porter [57]
12 Dan Kelly [54]
11 Harry Potter [65]
10 Handré Pollard [13]
9 Ben Youngs [300]
1 Tom West [9]
2 Julián Montoya (c) [42]
3 Dan Cole [308]
4 Harry Wells [175]
5 Cameron Henderson [35]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [83]
7 Tommy Reffell [98]
8 Jasper Wiese [59]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [77]
17 Francois van Wyk [29]
18 Joe Heyes [122]
19 Finn Carnduff [4] *
20 Olly Cracknell [23]
21 Jack van Poortvliet [64]
22 Jimmy Gopperth [16]
23 Matt Scott [64]
* Premiership debut
Content & Images from – Leicester Tigers 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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