Premiership
Wasps confirm 2 stars to leave at the end of the season
2 BIG Names.
In a statement coming from their website,
The statement reads:
Wasps can today confirm that Nathan Hughes and Willie Le Roux will be leaving the Club at the end of the season.
Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “It’s always disappointing to lose players of such quality but this is professional sport and there isn’t much you can do about it. There are a number of factors that play a part in players’ decisions to move on and unfortunately these guys have opted to move onto pastures new for 2019/20.
“Nathan arrived from New Zealand’s domestic scene and has risen to the top during his time at Wasps, going on to become an England international. It’s a credit to the Club that we’ve been able to help him realise his potential and although it’s a blow to lose such a quality player, we wish him all the best.
“Willie joined Wasps at a time when he wasn’t a part of the Springboks side and since making the move here, he has rediscovered his form and shown that he is a world-class player which in turn has seen him restored to the national side, going on to make over 50 appearances. We’d like to place our thanks on record to Willie for his great service to the Club over the past two-and-a-half seasons.”
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images“It’s been a great six years at Wasps and even though it was a tough decision, I’m keen to test myself in a new environment. I’ll be sad to leave some great friends and teammates but I’d like to thank everyone for making the last six years so memorable and wish everyone involved with the Club the best for the future.”
Nathan Hughes
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wasps and would like to thank everyone involved with the Club for their support. I’ll continue to give my all till the end of the season in the Black and Gold.”
Willie Le Roux:
It’s been widely rumoured that Hughes is set to sign with Bristol Bears and the club confirmed this in style via their twitter account this morning.
Le Roux has been linked heavily with a move to the Japanese Top League. Whilst Elliot Daly has also been strongly linked with a move to Saracens.
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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