Sale Sharks Engage in Talks to Secure Fiji Captain Waisea Nayacalevu as Potential Replacement for Departing Manu Tuilagi
According to reports from The Telegraph, Sale Sharks are currently in discussions to enlist the services of Fiji’s national team captain, Waisea Nayacalevu, in anticipation of filling the void left by Manu Tuilagi at the club for the forthcoming season.
With France looming as the probable destination for Tuilagi, the 32-year-old is poised to depart Sale during the summer, citing the club’s incapacity to sustain his wages within the salary cap constraints.
The forthcoming destination for Tuilagi remains shrouded in uncertainty, with speculation rife that a move overseas, at this juncture of his career, could materialize. Despite featuring in England’s Six Nations squad post his recovery from a groin injury preceding the encounter against Scotland, Tuilagi remained sidelined for the subsequent two Test matches, marking his last appearance for Steve Borthwick’s contingent in the Rugby World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa.
Nayacalevu is purportedly offered a one-year contract with the provision for an additional season, marking a departure from the financial requirements that Sale would have incurred for retaining Tuilagi’s services.
Formerly associated with Stade Français, Nayacalevu transitioned to Toulon ahead of the previous season, showcasing prowess in roaming the 15-metre channels with menacing intent, capable of breaching defensive lines with his acceleration or drawing in multiple defenders before executing adept offloads.
2027 Rugby World Cup draw (Current rankings)
POOL A
- South Africa
- Japan
- Georgia
- Hong Kong
POOL B
- Ireland
- Fiji
- Samoa
- Chile
