Premiership
Team news: Unchanged side to face Saracens
Captain Will Welch
Friday 7 October 2022
Newcastle Falcons have named an unchanged side for Sunday’s visit of Gallagher Premiership leaders Saracens.
Head coach Dave Walder goes with the same starting XV which defeated previously-unbeaten Bristol Bears 30-15 last Friday, with Will Welch captaining the team.
Adam Radwan and George McGuigan both start after spending three days in England’s training camp during the first half of the week, with the Argentina trio of Mateo Carreras, Matias Orlando and Matias Moroni all included having impressed last time out.
Fit-again scrum-half Michael Young takes up a place on the bench after breaking his hand in pre-season action at Leicester Tigers in August, while Jamie Blamire reverts to replacement hooker after his back-row exploits during the early part of the season.
Freddie Lockwood serves as back-row cover having returned from a loan spell at Jersey Reds, with Ben Stevenson also added to the bench.
Newcastle Falcons head coach Dave Walder said: “The lads showed great attitude and intensity last Friday in beating Bristol, and the challenge now is to do it on a more consistent basis.
“Those kinds of performances have to become the norm rather than the exception but we’ve shown we have it in us, and our supporters and players really fed off one another.
“Hopefully we’ll get a good home crowd in on Sunday to get behind the lads, and it’s a massive opportunity against a quality side.”
Like Bristol last week, Saracens arrive in the North East on the top of the Gallagher Premiership table with three wins from three, having put more than 50 points past champions Leicester Tigers last time out.
Walder said: “It’s no secret that Saracens are a class side, and you can’t fail to have been impressed by what they delivered last weekend in beating Leicester.
“They look to be playing more rugby at times rather than going to their kick-chase game, but they’ve got both in their armoury and will test us in different ways.
“They have a couple of my former Newcastle team-mates in their coaching group with Joe Shaw and Ian Peel, so it will be great to catch up with those guys, but first and foremost it’s an exciting opportunity for us to test ourselves against another quality outfit.”
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Newcastle Falcons team to face Saracens (Sunday, 3pm, Kingston Park Stadium).
15 Tom Penny, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Matias Orlando, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Sam Stuart; 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Greg Peterson, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch (captain), 7 Connor Collett, 8 Callum Chick.
Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Logovi’i Mulipola, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Freddie Lockwood, 21 Michael Young, 22 Pete Lucock, 23 Ben Stevenson.
Not available for selection: Phil Brantingham, Brett Connon, Luke Coulston, Nathan Earle, Carl Fearns, Gary Graham, Conor Kenny, Tom Marshall, George Merrick, Chidera Obonna, Charlie Smith, Josh Thomas, Philip van der Walt.
Saracens: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Max Malins, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Owen Farrell (captain), 9 Ivan Van Zyl; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Kapeli Pifeleti, 3 Marco Riccioni, 4 Callum Hunter-Hill, 5 Theo McFarland, 6 Jackson Wray, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Hugh Tizard, 20 Andy Christie, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Alex Goode, 23 Josh Hallett.
Referee: Wayne Barnes.
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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