International
Hooper to break Wallabies captaincy record
Michael Hooper will surpass George Gregan for the most Tests as Wallabies captain when he leads the side out in Saturday’s eToro Rugby Championship clash with South Africa at Suncorp Stadium.
The 29-year-old will skipper the side for the 60th time in Brisbane after first captaining Australia as a 22-year-old in 2014, which made Hooper the third youngest Wallabies leader of all time.
Since making his International debut in 2012, Hooper has gone on to play 112 Tests for his country and will start in a settled back row alongside Lachlan Swinton at blindside flanker and no.8 Rob Valetini.
Fellow centurion James Slipper returns to the run-on side alongside Taniela Tupou who earns a second start in 2021 at his home ground, with Folau Fainga’a finalising the front row at hooker.
Izack Rodda will continue his impressive return to the Test arena, again partnering Matt Philip in the second row at Suncorp Stadium.
Brumbies number nine Nic White is the only change to the backline, earning his first start for the year and reigniting his partnership with last week’s match-winner Quade Cooper in the halves.
The damaging midfield duo of Samu Kerevi and Len Ikitau will get another chance to build their combination at inside and outside centre respectively.
Tom Banks has again been named at fullback with the 27-year-old having worn the number 15 jersey in every game for the Wallabies this year. He’s joined in the back three by Marika Koroibete and the in-form Andrew Kellaway.
Western Force regular Feleti Kaitu’u will get another opportunity after an impressive Test debut in last weekend’s win, while club teammate Tom Robertson returns to the Wallabies side for the first time since 2018. Angus Bell is the other replacement prop.
Darcy Swain has recovered from a foot injury to reclaim his spot in the match day 23 as the second row replacement with his Brumbies teammate Pete Samu the remaining forward cover.
Tate McDermott will provide his trademark spark as the finishing scrumhalf with Reece Hodge also set to add his versatility from the pine. Brisbane local Jordan Petaia rounds out the matchday 23.
Suncorp Stadium has proven a happy hunting ground for the Wallabies in recent years, with Australia having won eight straight Tests at the venue since 2016.
A victory against the reigning world champions on Saturday night would also secure the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate for the Wallabies.
Last weekend’s victory over the world’s number one side has helped Australia rise in the rankings, with the Wallabies now fifth.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said: “It’s an incredible milestone for Hoops on Saturday evening in Brisbane and it’s a testament to him as a person and a player.”
“I’ve been so impressed with his leadership both on and off the field and his drive to be better every day.
“We were really proud of the effort from our men last Sunday and we’re well aware of the ferocity that a wounded Springboks outfit will bring to Suncorp Stadium.”
Every Wallabies Test will be ad-free, live and on-demand with extended coverage on Stan Sport. Every home Wallabies Test will also be live, free-to-air on the Nine Network.
Tickets for the eToro Rugby Championship are available via wallabies.rugby.
Hospitality packages are on sale now. Private suites, corporate boxes and functions are available for fans who want to enhance their Test match experience.
Wallabies team to play South Africa at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane on Saturday 18 September, 5:05pm AEST
1. James Slipper (107 Tests)
2. Folau Fainga’a (18 Tests)
3. Taniela Tupou (32Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (27 Tests)
5. Matt Philip (16 Tests)
6. Lachlan Swinton (5 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (112 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (11 Tests)
9. Nic White (40 Tests)
10. Quade Cooper (71 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (40 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (35 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (6 Tests)
14. Andrew Kellaway (6 Tests)
15. Tom Banks (18 Tests)
Replacements
16. Feleti Kaitu’u (1 Test)
17. Angus Bell (9 Tests)
18. Tom Robertson (24 Tests)
19. Darcy Swain (6 Tests)
20. Pete Samu (12 Tests)
21. Tate McDermott (9 Tests)
22. Reece Hodge (50 Tests)
23. Jordan Petaia (11 Tests)
6 Nations
Farrell Names Ireland Match Day Squad To Face Scotland In Dublin
Head Coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland Match Day Squad for Saturday’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations clash against Scotland at Aviva Stadium (Kick-off 4.45pm).
Ireland – currently sitting top of the Six Nations table heading into Super Saturday – can clinch back-to-back Championship titles with victory over Scotland in Dublin.
Farrell has named an unchanged starting XV for the Round 5 clash, as Hugo Keenan, Calvin Nash and James Lowe continue in the Ireland back three. Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki are once again selected in midfield, with Jack Crowley and Jamison Gibson-Park the starting half-backs.
Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong pack down in the front row, with Joe McCarthy partnering Tadhg Beirne – who is set to win his 50th Test cap for Ireland – in the engine room.
Captain Peter O’Mahony is at blindside flanker, Josh van der Flier is at openside and Caelan Doris completes the starting XV at number eight.
The Ireland Coaching Team have opted for a 5-3 split on the bench, with Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan providing the reinforcements up front, and Conor Murray, Harry Byrne and the fit-again Garry Ringrose the backline options.
Saturday’s match is live on Virgin Media One and ITV, with live radio coverage available on RTE Radio 1.
Ireland Team & Replacements (v Scotland, Guinness Men’s Six Nations, Saturday, March 16, 4.45pm)
15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)(39)
14. Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)(5)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(71)
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(55)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(30)
10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(13)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(34)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(63)
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(25)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(75)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(9)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(49)
6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)(captain)(104)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(61)
8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(40)
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(30)
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)(128)
18. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht)(39)
19. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(19)
20. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(45)
21. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(115)
22. Harry Byrne (UCD/Leinster)(3)
23. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(57).
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
6 Nations
Farrell Names Ireland Team To Face England At Twickenham
Head Coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland Match Day Squad for Saturday’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham (Kick-off 4.45pm).
Peter O’Mahony captains Ireland for the Round 4 visit to London, with Hugo Keenan returning to the starting XV after recovering from injury.
Keenan joins Calvin Nash and James Lowe in the Ireland back three, with Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw continuing their midfield partnership.
Jack Crowley and Jamison Gibson-Park are retained as the half-back pairing.
In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong are in the front row, with Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne named in the engine room. Captain O’Mahony is at blindside flanker, Josh van der Flier is at openside and Caelan Doris completes the starting XV at number eight.
The Ireland Coaching Team have selected a 6-2 split on the bench, as Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan provide the reinforcements in the pack.
Backs Conor Murray and Ciaran Frawley complete Ireland’s Match Day 23 to face England.
Saturday’s match is live on RTÉ2 and ITV.
Ireland:
15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)(38)
14. Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)(4)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(70)
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(54)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(29)
10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(12)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(33)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(62)
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(24)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(74)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(8)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(48)
6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)(captain)(103)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(60)
8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(39)
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(29)
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)(127)
18. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht)(38)
19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster)(80)
20. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(18)
21. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(44)
22. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(114)
23. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(3)
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
International
Mercer joins Barbarians line-up for Killik Cup clash this summer
Mercer, 26, joins England’s most-capped men’s player Ben Youngs on the list of names already confirmed to play for the BaaBaas in the showpiece event at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 22 June (kick-off: 5.15pm).
The Barbarians – led by Kiwi coach Robbie Deans – will face off against the Flying Fijians with the Killik Cup on the line, with tickets on sale now from Ticketmaster, Ticketek or the RFU starting from £55 for Adults and £28 for Under-16s*.
Tickets for the event also include entry to the Qatar Airways Cup showdown between South Africa and Wales, with the two international heavyweights going toe-to-toe at 2.00pm, ahead of Barbarians vs Fiji.
Mercer began his career with Bath Rugby and was nominated for World Rugby Junior Player of the Year in 2017 after captaining England to an U20 Six Nations Grand Slam and the World Rugby U20 Championship final.
He enjoyed two years filled with success in France following a move to Montpellier Hérault, where he won the Top 14 title and was named the league’s Player of the Year in 2022.
The explosive No.8 returned to England and the Premiership with Gloucester Rugby in the summer of 2023, and despite a two-month spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury, Mercer’s performances for the Cherry & Whites have continued to catch the eye – most recently delivering a man-of-the-match display against Exeter Chiefs to send Gloucester into the Premiership Rugby Cup final.
Mercer is relishing the prospect of another appearance in Barbarians colours this summer, and expects the sparks to fly against Fiji with both sides set on winning while also entertaining a bumper Twickenham crowd.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be involved with the Barbarians again this summer,” he said. “I loved the opportunity to represent the BaaBaas in November 2022 against the All Blacks XV; it was incredibly special to pull on that jersey for the first time and we were on the right end of the result as well.
“Moments and memories like that are the reason you play rugby, so it’s really exciting for me to play again this summer in what should be a brilliant match against Fiji.
“I think it will be two very similar outfits going head-to-head, two teams that want to play fast, exciting rugby.
“The Fijians were one of the best teams to watch at the recent Rugby World Cup, certainly the most-improved team there, and they’re going to want to come to Twickenham and put on a show once again.
“It’s going to be a great battle between the BaaBaas and Fiji on the day, so I’d definitely encourage rugby fans to get down there on June 22 to watch the games. With South Africa vs Wales on ahead of us as well, it should be an unmissable afternoon of rugby.”
This will be Mercer’s second time representing the BaaBaas following the Gloucester No.8’s Player-of-the-Match showing in the 35-31 Killik Cup victory over the All Blacks XV in November 2022, while he has also played against the Club on two occasions – for England in May 2018, and for Gloucester in October 2023.
Mercer added: “Everyone remembers what happens in the Barbarians’ matches, but the week beforehand is just as special as well. It’s all about getting to know each other as a group of players, creating bonds with different individuals who you haven’t played with before.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Twickenham again – I’ve played there a few times now, but the stadium still has the same aura for me and every time you get to run out there is a privilege.
“Last time with the BaaBaas was at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, this time obviously it’s Twickenham, and being involved at venues of that calibre just goes to show what big occasions these matches are.
“BaaBaas matches are great learning opportunities as well. You’re training with some of the best players in the world, and all the coaches are world class. I had the pleasure of working with Scott Robertson and Ronan O’Gara last time – two of the very best in the business – and to work with Robbie Deans on this one is amazing, so I am really excited for that opportunity.”
General admission tickets are on now – visit Ticketmaster, Ticketek or RFU to secure your seat.
Each ticket will cover entry for both South Africa vs Wales (K.O. 2pm) and Barbarians vs Fiji (K.O. 5.15pm) on Saturday 22 June, starting from just £55* for Adults and £28* for Under-16s. For a 10% discount on groups of 10 or more, please visitwww.eticketing.co.uk/rfu/events.
Hospitality packages are also available now, starting from £179 per person – visit www.twickenhamstadium.com to purchase now.
*booking fees apply