Premiership
TEAM NEWS – Ulster Rugby v Sale Sharks
Sale Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson makes four changes to his starting line-up to face Ulster as Ewan Ashman, James Harper, Josh Beaumont and England prop Bevan Rodd return to the side for Saturday’s must-win Champions Cup clash (KO 8pm, live on BT Sport).
The homegrown quartet are among 17 Sharks Academy graduates in a matchday squad which also includes winger Tom Roebuck, who returns after an ankle injury to take his place on the replacements bench for the showdown at the Kingspan Stadium.
After three games with an unchanged front-row, Alex is forced into changes for the final pool stage match as Rodd and Harper take their places either side of Scotland hooker Ashman.
After Cobus Wiese’s red card against Toulouse, Josh Beaumont starts alongside Jonny Hill in the second-row.
And they’ve got an unchanged back-row for company as Jono Ross, captain Ben Curry and Jean-Luc du Preez complete a strong pack.
Alex has picked an unchanged back-line to face Ulster and that means Gus Warr and Rob du Preez start again at half-back, with Manu Tuilagi and Sam James outside them in the centres.
Despite Roebuck’s return to fitness, Joe Carpenter, Arron Reed and Tom O’Flaherty keep their places in the back three.
The bench features eight academy graduates with Tommy Taylor, Ross Harrison, Joe Jones, Sam Dugdale and Rouban Birch making up the forwards replacements.
Raffi Quirke, Tom Curtis and Roebuck will offer back-line support.
Sale Sharks Starting XV:
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom O’Flaherty, 13. Sam James, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Arron Reed, 10. Rob Du Preez, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Ewan Ashman, 3. James Harper, 4. Josh Beaumont, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Jono Ross, 7. Ben Curry ©, 8. Jean-Luc Du Preez
Replacements:
16. Tommy Taylor, 17. Ross Harrison, 18. Joe Jones, 19. Rouban Birch, 20. Sam Dugdale, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Tom Curtis, 23. Tom Roebuck.
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.
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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