Premiership
Worcester snap up Ulster Back-Rower.
He joins a host of Ex-Ulster players at the Warriors.
Worcester Warriors have signed back-row forward Caleb Montgomery from Ulster for next season.
Montgomery, 23, made his senior debut for Ulster as a replacement in their Pro14 match against Leinster in January and has been a regular in their A team this season.
Montgomery played for Ulster A in last month’s Cara Cup tournament in the USA and is looking forward to making the step up to the Gallagher Premiership with Warriors.
“I am hugely excited to be joining Worcester Warriors for the 2019/20 season,” Montgomery said.
“It is a great club with passionate fans, excellent facilities and a strong talented squad that really play for each other.
“I am really looking forward to getting over there and meeting my new teammates and coaches. Alan Solomons is someone I have great respect for all he has achieved in the game and can see the honest and fair environment he has created at Worcester. One in which I hope to prove myself.”
Solomons, Warriors Director of Rugby, believes that Montgomery, who has played for Banbridge in the All Ireland League, is a player with a strong physical presence.
“Caleb is a talented young player who has a real physical presence. I have no doubt that he will make his mark here at Warriors and I look forward to working with him,” Solomons said.
Montgomery becomes Warriors sixth new signing for next season following lock Graham Kitchener, who is rejoining from Leicester Tigers, Blues wing Melani Nanai, Northland scrum-half Jono Kitto, Connacht tighthead prop Conor Carey and Samoa international wing Ed Fidow who has been signed from French Pro D2 club Provence.
He joins ex-Ulster coach Neil Doak and a host of ex-Ulster players at Warriors that include Michael Heaney, Callum Black and Niall Annett who has just signed a contract extension with the club.
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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