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Team news: Two changes for Tigers trip

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George Wacokecoke comes in at outside centre


Friday 16 September 2022

Newcastle Falcons have made two changes to their team for Saturday’s trip to Gallagher Premiership champions Leicester Tigers.

George Wacokecoke starts at outside centre for the 3pm kick-off at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with fit-again Carl Fearns coming in at No 8.

That change sees Sean Robinson pushing forward from the back row to the second row, with the Falcons travelling to Leicester for the second time in three weeks after scoring four tries in a 42-28 pre-season defeat on August 26.

Back-rower Connor Collett takes up a place on the bench having overcome injury, while Argentina wing Mateo Carreras is also among the replacements after returning from Rugby Championship duty in New Zealand.

Selecting a starting XV containing 14 English-qualified players, 10 of whom have had an association with the Falcons’ academy, head coach Dave Walder believes his side can kick on after starting their season with an attacking bonus point from their home loss against Harlequins.

“We were never in control of the game last weekend but we did pretty well to score five tries against a good side, and ultimately come away with a bonus point,” he said, referencing the 40-31 defeat.

“Of course we’re disappointed with the way we lost it, having battled back so well to take the lead, but the attitude from the boys was great and there’s lots we can build on.

“This weekend will be a different kind of challenge in terms of how Leicester play compared to Harlequins, but for how we approach our own game there won’t be a massive change. We’ll stick to what we’re about, and we’re building and implementing a few things which will take a little time to really bed in.”

Preparing to face a Tigers side who kicked the ball more than any other team last weekend, Walder said: “Leicester are obviously the champions and are committed to a certain style of playing, and they’ve had success from it, so I can’t see them changing.

“We know what’s coming and have got to make sure we deal with it, but at the same time we’ll throw a few things of our own at them.”

Facing a fixture load which sees his side playing seven games in the month of September, Walder added: “We’ve got three away games in the space of eight days so it’s a challenging time for us, and we could do with a few bodies back.

“We might have to bring in a couple of lads to help with the couple of midweek cup games we have coming up, but Leicester on Saturday is the prime focus and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Saturday’s game is being live-streamed on PRTV live.

Click here to buy your stream for £4.99.

Newcastle Falcons team to face Leicester Tigers (Saturday, 3pm, Mattioli Woods Welford Road)

15 Alex Tait, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 George Wacokecoke, 12 Pete Lucock, 11 Nathan Earle, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Josh Barton; 1 Phil Brantingham, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Greg Peterson, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch (captain), 7 Jamie Blamire, 8 Carl Fearns.

Replacements: 16 Charlie Maddison, 17 Conrad Cade, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Connor Collett, 21 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23 Mateo Carreras.

Not available for selection: Adam Brocklebank, Callum Chick, Luke Coulston, Matthew Dalton, Matt Deehan, Gary Graham, Matias Moroni, Logovi’i Mulipola, Chidera Obonna, Matias Orlando, Tom Penny, Guy Pepper, Vereimi Qorowale, Charlie Smith, Sam Stuart, Philip van der Walt, Michael Young.

Leicester Tigers: 15 Chris Ashton, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Matt Scott, 12 Guy Porter, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 James Cronin, 2 Charlie Clare, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Harry Wells, 5 Calum Green, 6 George Martin, 7 Ollie Chessum, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (captain).

Replacements: 16 Joe Taufete’e, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Olly Cracknell, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Jack van Poortvliet, 22 Phil Cokanasiga, 23 Kini Murimurivalu.

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys.

Source – Newcastle Falcons Rugby


Premiership

SHARKS TO SIGN FIJI SKIPPER NAYACALEVU

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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


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Premiership

Falcons star to join Saracens

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Phil Brantingham to join Saracens

Tuesday 05 March 2024 Written by: Tom Grisedale

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


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Premiership

WIESE SET TO RETURN TO SA

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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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