Premiership
Gloucester May Have to Release Players to Accommodate Salary Cap
Gloucester could have to let go of a couple of players to be in line with the salary cap according to reports
Gloucester’s rise to the Premiership semi-finals may come at a price for some players as they look to stay within the salary cap.
The team were defeated by Saracens last Saturday in the Premiership semi-finals, but their season has been an overwhelming success.
However, that is in no small part to the arrivals of Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert and Premiership Player of the Year Danny Cipriani, who has signed a new long-term contract with the cherry and whites.
His new contract and the possibility of the club signing Newcastle Falcons’ Chris Harris has meant they may have to cut down on wages to stay within the salary cap.
According to GloucestershireLive, Gareth Evans and Henry Purdy will be the men to make way.
27-year-old Evans has been at the club for all of his eight-year professional career, making 85 appearances over that time. However, he has been used as a fill-in player for Kriel but with the likes of Ben Morgan, Jake Polledri, Aaron Hinkley and Lewis Ludlow all on the rise it appears as though Evans may not have a place at the club next season.
On the other hand, Purdy has made 82 appearances over his five-year spell with the club since joining from Leicester Tigers, scoring 28 tries in that time. The 25-year-old does however face the same issue as Evans with Gloucester having plenty of competition in his position with Ollie Thorley, Tom Marshall, Charlie Sharpes, Matt Banahan and Tom Seabrook all on the books.
The two players will most likely hope to remain in the Premiership with another club as Gloucester look toward youthful players to replace them if they do leave.
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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