Premiership
Three changes for Saints ahead of trip to Bath
Matt Proctor, Lewis Ludlam and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto all return to Northampton Saints’ starting line-up this weekend as Director of Rugby Phil Dowson makes three changes to his side to face Bath.The men in Black, Green and Gold travel to the Rec on Saturday afternoon (kick-off: 3pm, broadcast on PRTV Live) having won their last four matches in all competitions with a bonus point.Saints recorded a season’s double over Bath last term for the first time since the 2015/16 campaign, and will be looking to extend that winning run in the West Country.England international Ludlam returns to the back row to captain Saints, with Alex Coles keeping his spot at blindside flanker and Juarno Augustus – who scored his tenth Northampton try in the win over Newcastle Falcons last week – selected at No.8.Salakaia-Loto meanwhile is called into the engine room in the only other change to Saints’ pack, with David Ribbans continuing at lock and Dowson opting with an unchanged front row of Alex Waller, Sam Matavesi and Paul Hill.Northampton have been fluid in attack so far this season, making more metres (3,238) with the ball in hand and throwing more offloads (85) than any other team in the league, and there’s just one change to the back line this week with Proctor replacing the injured Rory Hutchinson in the centres for his 50th appearance in the Gallagher Premiership.Fraser Dingwall (who has crossed the gainline 36 times so far this season, more than any other player in the league) completes Saints’ midfield with the visitors’ half-back combination of James Grayson and Alex Mitchell unchanged inside him.Tom Collins and Ollie Sleightholme, both of whom crossed the whitewash last weekend, continue in the back three with the in-form George Furbank selected at fullback. The 26-year-old England international has made the second-most metres (467) of anyone in the Gallagher Premiership so far, and more carries (68) than any other back.Saints’ bench is packed full of youth with the likes of Emmanuel Iyogun, Alfie Petch, Tom Litchfield and George Hendy hoping to make an impact if they enter the action.BATH RUGBY vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTSGallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 7Saturday 22 October 2022The Recreation GroundKick-off: 3pm15 George Furbank14 Tom Collins13 Matt Proctor – 50th Premiership appearance12 Fraser Dingwall11 Ollie Sleightholme10 James Grayson9 Alex Mitchell1 Alex Waller2 Sam Matavesi3 Paul Hill4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto5 David Ribbans6 Alex Coles7 Lewis Ludlam (c)8 Juarno AugustusReplacements:16 Robbie Smith17 Emmanuel Iyogun18 Alfie Petch19 Alex Moon20 Sam Graham21 Tom James22 Tom Litchfield23 George HendyNot considered for selection:Matthew Arden, Dan Biggar, Tommy Freeman, Aston Gradwick-Light, Rory Hutchinson, Courtney Lawes, George Patten, Courtnall Skosan, and Karl Wilkins.Referee: Anthony WoodthorpeAssistant Referees: Nick Wood and Simon HardingNo.4: Harry WalbaumTMO: Stuart TerheegeBATH TEAM TO PLAY SAINTS15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Will Butt, 10 George Worboys, 9 Louis Schreuder; 1 Juan Schoeman, 2 Tom Dunn (c), 3 Aranos Coetzee, 4 Dave Attwood, 5 Quinn Roux, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Miles Reid, 8 Richard de CarpentierReplacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Arthur Cordwell, 18 D’Arcy Rae, 19 Fergus Lee-Warner, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Billy Searle, 23 Max Ojomoh
Matt Proctor, Lewis Ludlam and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto all return to Northampton Saints’ starting line-up this weekend as Director of Rugby Phil Dowson makes three changes to his side to face Bath.
The men in Black, Green and Gold travel to the Rec on Saturday afternoon (kick-off: 3pm, broadcast on PRTV Live) having won their last four matches in all competitions with a bonus point.
Saints recorded a season’s double over Bath last term for the first time since the 2015/16 campaign, and will be looking to extend that winning run in the West Country.
England international Ludlam returns to the back row to captain Saints, with Alex Coles keeping his spot at blindside flanker and Juarno Augustus – who scored his tenth Northampton try in the win over Newcastle Falcons last week – selected at No.8.
Salakaia-Loto meanwhile is called into the engine room in the only other change to Saints’ pack, with David Ribbans continuing at lock and Dowson opting with an unchanged front row of Alex Waller, Sam Matavesi and Paul Hill.
Northampton have been fluid in attack so far this season, making more metres (3,238) with the ball in hand and throwing more offloads (85) than any other team in the league, and there’s just one change to the back line this week with Proctor replacing the injured Rory Hutchinson in the centres for his 50th appearance in the Gallagher Premiership.
Fraser Dingwall (who has crossed the gainline 36 times so far this season, more than any other player in the league) completes Saints’ midfield with the visitors’ half-back combination of James Grayson and Alex Mitchell unchanged inside him.
Tom Collins and Ollie Sleightholme, both of whom crossed the whitewash last weekend, continue in the back three with the in-form George Furbank selected at fullback. The 26-year-old England international has made the second-most metres (467) of anyone in the Gallagher Premiership so far, and more carries (68) than any other back.
Saints’ bench is packed full of youth with the likes of Emmanuel Iyogun, Alfie Petch, Tom Litchfield and George Hendy hoping to make an impact if they enter the action.
BATH RUGBY vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 7
Saturday 22 October 2022
The Recreation Ground
Kick-off: 3pm
15 George Furbank
14 Tom Collins
13 Matt Proctor – 50th Premiership appearance
12 Fraser Dingwall
11 Ollie Sleightholme
10 James Grayson
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Alex Waller
2 Sam Matavesi
3 Paul Hill
4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5 David Ribbans
6 Alex Coles
7 Lewis Ludlam (c)
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16 Robbie Smith
17 Emmanuel Iyogun
18 Alfie Petch
19 Alex Moon
20 Sam Graham
21 Tom James
22 Tom Litchfield
23 George Hendy
Not considered for selection:
Matthew Arden, Dan Biggar, Tommy Freeman, Aston Gradwick-Light, Rory Hutchinson, Courtney Lawes, George Patten, Courtnall Skosan, and Karl Wilkins.
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
Assistant Referees: Nick Wood and Simon Harding
No.4: Harry Walbaum
TMO: Stuart Terheege
BATH TEAM TO PLAY SAINTS
15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Will Butt, 10 George Worboys, 9 Louis Schreuder; 1 Juan Schoeman, 2 Tom Dunn (c), 3 Aranos Coetzee, 4 Dave Attwood, 5 Quinn Roux, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Miles Reid, 8 Richard de Carpentier
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Arthur Cordwell, 18 D’Arcy Rae, 19 Fergus Lee-Warner, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Billy Searle, 23 Max Ojomoh
Content & Images from – Northampton Saints 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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