Sale Sharks have confirmed a new team captain as Ernst van Rhyn has been named the skipper for the 2025/26 season.
Fan favourite van Rhyn joined Sale from South African side DHL Stormers and quickly became a popular character around the club.
Arriving in Greater Manchester from Cape Town for the 23/25 campaign, it’s been a great start to life for ‘Ernie’, who extended his stay at the recently rebranded CorpAcq Stadium last week.
Sharks fans will no doubt be happy with the selection in the wake of star player and England international Ben Curry passing on the armband.
𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝘾𝙡𝙪𝙗 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 🫡
Ernie takes the reins this season 🔥
Get ready to welcome him back home on Thursday, as he leads Your Sharks out for the first time at our @PremRugby opener!
Signing a fresh deal on 16 September, van Rhyn has not only put pen to paper on a new three-year contract extension but also expressed his further commitment to the club by accepting the captaincy.
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Chosen by Director of Rugby, Alex Sanderson, because of his clear leadership capabilities and versatility across both the back and second row – and he has the stats to back it up.
Topping the dominant tackle charts in the division and emerging as one of the best combative talents in the Gallagher Premiership, Ernie has now made nearly half a century of appearances for the Sharks, starting all 18 league fixtures last term.
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With the new season getting underway this Thursday, the appointment of Ernst van Rhyn comes after one of the Curry twins earned himself an enhanced England playing contract earlier this month, meaning he’s unlikely to be able to provide the same level of dedication domestically.
“Over the past two years, I’ve really enjoyed learning from some of the amazing leaders we’ve got at the club – guys like Ben Curry, George Ford, Rob du Preez and others are fantastic leaders and I’ve tried to take bits from each of them.
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“But it’s also important for me to keep doing what I’m doing because that’s what has got me to this point. I know this role brings more responsibility, but I feel like I’m ready for that. I pride myself on my ability to lead by example, and I know I need to keep on improving my own game and working hard as a player.”
Insisting that he wants to be a “calming” presence in the pitch and deliver extra confidence all the way from the dressing room to the field, the Sale boss echoed similar aspirations.
Sanderson went on to add, “He leads by example, he’s respected by everyone at the club, and I have no doubt that he’ll be a fantastic captain for us”, crediting his “boundless work-rate” and “attitude” beyond merely his natural ability.
“Off the field, he is an incredible leader, not just in how he trains and carries himself, but in his words and the way he speaks to people”, continued ‘Sandy’; “On the field, he’s relentlessly physical and an extraordinary player who we feel very fortunate to have at the club.
“We’re so excited that he’s committed his future to the club because we feel he’s only going to get better.” What do you make of Ernie as the new captain, Sale fans – and how are you feeling for the Sharks’ season opener against Gloucester Rugby on Thursday?
Leigh Leopards share update regarding Tesi Niu allegations
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester rugby league side Leigh Leopards have now issued an update addressing the allegations levelled at one of their players, Tesi Niu.
With the statement coming directly from the club’s owner, Derek Beaumont, the club have shed light on their understanding of the situation.
Beaumont, who bought the team over a decade ago and rebranded it from ‘Centurions’ to the Leopards back in 2022 (and also owns a local decking company based in Worsley), appeared to speak on behalf of the club following the accusations made last week.
Sharing an official communication on social media on Wednesday afternoon, 8 January, they open by saying that “the club is aware of social media activity of concern from one of its players’ accounts, that of Tesi Niu.”
“The club can confirm that the player’s account was accessed externally and without his knowledge or consent”, they continue, “and [was] deleted a short period thereafter.”
“We were instantly aware of this as it happened”, says the Leigh Leopards owner. “As a club, we have policies and procedures and employ a Player Welfare Manager who is a qualified counsellor.
“Our first port of call in these circumstances is to ensure the welfare of our player and any external party that may be involved. This was immediately initiated.
“Having since personally spoken with Tesi and Kiana individually and at length, and then our Player Welfare Manager and Head Coach, I am completely satisfied that they are both being fully supported.
“I can also confirm that there is no official complaint to the club regarding the player, nor to any relevant authorities. To that end, the club will make no further statements about the matter and would welcome supporters’ trust in the club’s processes and findings.”
For context, you can read what 24-year-old Niu has been accused of in full down below.
While the organisation has now insisted that nothing formal has been raised within the club nor with the police at this time, many supporters are still insisting that there must be a full investigation into the troubling claims.
At present, however, the statement seems to suggest that they won’t be taking the matter any further internally – at least not for now/until a proper case is opened.
Nevertheless, many Leopards supporters, rugby fans and people online in general have understandably raised more concerns following the statement.
Neither Tesi Niu himself nor Kiana Smith – his partner of more than five years, currently said to be pregnant with their third child – has yet to share any further message(s) following the initial declaration of alleged abuse.
Serving as yet another fitting tribute from his beloved football club, who already honoured the late, great, Manc musician at Old Trafford, it’s rumoured to launch later this year.
Snapped alongside United’s current third kit for the 25/26 season, the rumoured ‘lifestyle’ jersey is apparently coming very soon.
This pair of images has seemingly confirmed the claims made by trusted online kit source, Footy Headlines, who specialise in sharing pictures of the football shirts, boots and more, who had already reported on the release in 2025.
As you can see, not only does the design feature a striking blue take on the band’s iconic album art style (expanded from an original painting by guitarist John Squire), but if you look closely, it also features the band’s iconic song and overriding slogan, ‘I Wanna Be Adored’, built into the crest.
You can see the rest of the existing Stone Roses collection in full down below.
We’re sure there are loads of other little details besides the twist on the badge still to be spotted, but for now, all we know is that the world-famous sporting franchise is continuing to capitalise even further on The Stone Roses connection.
Since the last batch of officially licensed adidas x Stone Roses merch quickly became collector’s items, we can only assume that this latest shirt won’t be the only new addition.
For instance, one user already commented, ‘Where’s the bucket hat?’
As for Manchester United, they’re no doubt looking to generate as much revenue as possible after having to pay another sizeable severance package following the sacking of Ruben Amorim – the question is, who is going to be next?
Danny Jones -
24th September 2025 
