Sale Sharks likely to sign Nayacalevu as replacement for Tuilagi

Reports are coming out from the UK that Sale Sharks Rugby are in talks to sign Fiji Water Flying Fijians captain Waisea Nayacalevu to replace England star centre Manu Tuilagi at the club next season.

The Telegraph Sports revealed earlier this week that Tuilagi is set to leave the Club in the summer, with the club currently unable to cover his wages under the salary cap.

Tuilagi’s next club is currently unknown, but a move overseas at this late stage of his career is a possibility.

Nayacalevu is understood to have been offered a one-year deal with an option for a further season at the club.

The 33-year-old was one of Fiji’s best players during an impressive Rugby World Cup campaign last year, with his team reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 2007 after defeating Australia in the pool stages.

He also played a key role in Fiji’s first-ever win over England during last year’s Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, speaking passionately afterwards about the need for his side to face more Top-Tier opposition on a recent basis.

Nayacalevu has spent the last two years with Toulon but previously was with Stade Français for a decade, making 200 appearances for the club.

Reports earlier this year linked Nayacalevu with Montpellier, but his future now seems to be in the north of England with Alex Sanderson’s side, where Nayacalevu’s experience can help in particular with the development of Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, the young centre who has played for England Under-20 and was previously with Wasps.

The Telegraph UK