Premiership
Wasps Add Rugby League Coach to Their Ranks
Wasps have become the second Premiership team in a week to sign up a rugby league coach
Wasps have confirmed that Martin Gleeson will join the club from rugby league side Salford Red Devils for the 2019/20 season.
Gleeson will join the side as the assistant attack coach, leaving the Red Devils after five years as their assistant coach.
Only last week Harlequins announced that Sean Long will join their backroom staff from rugby league side St Helens, with Gleeson’s move now perhaps showing a shift in the game.
The former rugby league player is delighted to be joining Wasps and is thankful for what Salford have provided him with.
“I’m thrilled to be making the move to Rugby Union and to be joining a team of Wasps’ calibre. I’ve had a fantastic time with Salford, but I feel now is the right time for a new challenge. Premiership Rugby is one of the most competitive leagues in Rugby Union so this is certainly a challenge I’m relishing, and I can’t wait to meet the team,” he said.
The 39-year-old will join-up with Attack and Backs coach Lee Blackett and is also being brought in to help develop the wider team and achieve their goals.
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young noted that he wants to expand his current coaching staff and is happy that Gleeson could become part of it.
“We have operated with a smaller coaching team than most Premiership clubs for a while now. The plan was always to bolster it and I’m pleased to have found Martin, who is an exciting young coach. I believe he can really add to what we are trying to build here at Wasps. Martin has forged a very strong reputation as a quality coach within Rugby League, having made a big impact with Salford,” he said.
As well as Young and Blackett, Wasps have defence coach Ian Costello and forwards coach Andy Titterrell, however Young believes the attacking side of things is more than a one-man job.
“Our current coaches have done an excellent job. I’m really pleased with how they have developed in their first Premiership coaching roles, and with Martin coming on board I am really pleased with how our set-up is looking ahead of the new season. Our attack has been a strong part of our game and we have been one of the top try-scoring teams in the Premiership for a number of seasons. Lee has done a great job for us, but I now feel that attack is more than a one-man job. We took a step back last season from where we would have liked to have been. Between the two of them, I believe they will complement each other and get our attack back to where we want it to be,” he added.
As well as the new coaches Wasps have added a host of players to their squad and are looking like a side to watch out for next season.
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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