Premiership
Team News | Tigers side to play Saracens
Richard Wigglesworth has named the Leicester Tigers matchday squad to play Saracens in Round 17 of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership.
Julián Montoya will captain the side at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Sunday afternoon.
The Head Coach welcomes back Ben Youngs and Joe Heyes (England), Cameron Henderson (Scotland) and Tommy Reffell (Wales), who were released back to the club during the first fallow week of this season’s Guinness Six Nations.
Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Jack van Poortvliet, Freddie Steward and Anthony Watson are unavailable for selection after being retained by England for a week-long training camp.
Mike Brown will make his Leicester Tigers debut at full-back in a back-three which includes Harry Potter and Chris Ashton, with the latter to play his first game in seven weeks after returning from injury.
It’s a milestone midfield pairing with Matt Scott set for his 50th starting appearance for the club alongside Jimmy Gopperth, who will run out for his 200th Premiership appearance.
Youngs and Handré Pollard are the half-back pairing.
Tom West is named for his first starting appearance in his second match after debuting off the bench in the club’s last outing – against Northampton Saints – three weeks ago.
West and Heyes are the props and Julián Montoya the hooker in the front-row, with George Martin and Henderson the locks in the starting tight five.
The 21-year-old Martin will make his 50th Leicester Tigers appearance in his first start for 10 weeks after making his return from injury in Round 16 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Hanro Liebenberg and Olly Cracknell are the flankers and Jasper Wiese the No.8 in the starting back-row.
Charlie Clare, Francois van Wyk, Will Hurd, Eli Snyman and Tommy Reffell are the replacement forwards and Sam Edwards, Charlie Atkinson and Harry Simmons the replacement backs.
STARTING XV
15 Mike Brown *
14 Chris Ashton [23]
13 Matt Scott [58]
12 Jimmy Gopperth [9]
11 Harry Potter [57]
10 Handré Pollard [5]
9 Ben Youngs (vc) [294]
1 Tom West [1]
2 Julián Montoya (c) [34]
3 Joe Heyes [114]
4 George Martin [49]
5 Cameron Henderson [27]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [75]
7 Olly Cracknell [15]
8 Jasper Wiese [51]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [69]
17 Francois van Wyk [26]
18 Will Hurd [19]
19 Eli Snyman [28]
20 Tommy Reffell [92]
21 Sam Edwards [9]
22 Charlie Atkinson [10]
23 Harry Simmons [30]
* Leicester Tigers 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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