International
Summer Rugby: Japan and USA at Aviva Stadium
Irish rugby fans were disappointed at the Rugby Union’s cancellation of the three-test series planned for Fiji. The good news is that Ireland will be hosting both Japan and the USA at Aviva stadium in July. At first glance, it may seem that Ireland is set to slaughter these teams, but let’s look more closely at these matches before leaping to conclusions.
Betting on Rugby matches isn’t as easy as taking a flutter on football, with many external factors to consider. Still, you’ve got plentiful betting markets to choose from, and if you follow a few simple Rugby Union betting tips, you can win some extra cash. A few of the factors that can affect the outcome of a match include the availability of players, injuries and prior fixtures.
Ireland Vs. Japan July 3
The Irish team is ranked fourth worldwide, and Japan comes tenth, with Ireland winning seven of the last eight matches played between these two teams. No Irish fan can forget the last time these teams met at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The Brave Blossoms defeated Ireland 19-12 in their group match, forcing Ireland into a quarter-final with New Zealand.
Japan’s coach, Jamie Joseph, called up 19 of the former World Cup players for the 36-man squad that will face the British and Irish Lions on June 26 before the July 3 match in Dublin. The manager plans to keep everything simple, relying on players that have international experience and proven form.
In the backline, Matsushima Kotaro joins the team in Europe from his French club, and we’ll also see former Munster winger Gerhard van den Heever playing in Edinburgh and Dublin. Kazuki Himeno is also joining the team in Europe, returning from a season with the Otago Highlanders.
Although hampered by limited preparation time, Japan’s management sees the tour as an opportunity to further develop Rugby Union in their nation. They hope to repeat or improve their performance at the World Cup and prove that they deserved their place in the quarter-finals.
Andy Farrel also takes these games seriously. The Irish tour to the USA and Japan four years ago proved worthwhile. With eight of his key players called up for the Lions, Farrel may decide to try some up-and-coming players against what should be weaker teams.
We should see some of the players snubbed from the Lion’s selection back to prove a point. We expect Joey Carbery and Garry Ringrose to make the cut, although 35-year-old Johnny Sexton may have to watch from the sidelines. James Ryan in the number five jersey is slated to captain the team.
We also expect to see new caps awarded, and there’s no shortage of talent to choose from in that regard. Munster’s Gavin Coombes would be a top choice for the back row, with Leinster’s number eight Caelan Doris returning to fitness for the matches.
The Irish team seems set to develop into a force that can proceed past the 2023 world cup quarter-finals with all its available talent. The lads will also want revenge for their 2019 defeat at the hands of The Blossoms, which forced them into a quarter-final match with the All-Blacks.
Ireland Vs the USA July 10
The Dublin match will be the Eagles’ second test since the 2019 World Cup, with punters able to judge their form in the July 3 match against England at Twickenham. Although the team hasn’t assembled in almost two years, coach Gary Gould has spent the last year tracking players and identifying new talent.
Although only ranked at number 16, the American team will be eager to prove their mettle and prepare for 2023 world cup qualifiers against up-and-coming teams in the Americas. With rugby gaining momentum on these continents, they’ll have to be on top form to secure a place in France.
The USA and Ireland have played 10 tests against each other, with Ireland emerging victorious each time. The last test between these two nations was at Aviva Stadium, with Ireland winning 57-14. The most significant Irish win was in 2000, with a final score of 83-3.
Conclusion
Although history shows that Ireland is the stronger team in both tests, the players and teams haven’t had much preparation, levelling the playing field slightly. The Brave Blossoms have also proved that they’re capable of delivering a surprise. All three teams will be using these games as essential preparation for Rugby World Cup qualifying matches.
Betting on these matches won’t be as straightforward as we’re used to. Sometimes the best players don’t meld well together as a team. With no recent games to prove these team’s form, choosing how to bet won’t be easy. Still, we’d bet on handicap markets, winning margin or take a punt on the first try–scorer.
Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to confirm contract extensions for Conor Murray and Jack Daly with Brian Gleeson to be promoted from the Academy to the senior squad next season.
Murray and Daly have signed one-year extensions with Gleeson moving up to the senior squad on a two-year deal.
Gleeson is one of five Academy players moving up to the senior squad next year with Tony Butler, Ethan Coughlan, Mark Donnelly and Edwin Edogbo also signing two-year deals.
Conor Murray is one of the most decorated scrum-halfs in world rugby with 116 Ireland caps and three British & Irish Lions tours to his name.
A former St Munchin’s College student, the Garryowen man won his fifth 6 Nations title with Ireland last month and earned his second league title with Munster last season.
The 34-year-old has made 185 Munster appearances and scored 34 tries for the province to date and was named on World Rugby’s Team of the Decade in 2019.
25-year-old flanker Jack Daly came up through the ranks at Castleisland RFC and made his Munster debut against Zebre in 2020.
Daly joined the Academy in 2018, moved up to the senior squad in 2021 and plays his AIL rugby with Garryowen. A former Ireland U20 international, he made his Champions Cup debut against Toulouse in the quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium in 2022.
Try-scoring number 8 Brian Gleeson leads the charge for the Ireland Under-20s against France ©INPHO/Evan Treacy
20-year-old Gleeson moves up to the senior squad after just one year in the Academy that has seen him score one try in nine senior appearances.
Currently out of action with an ankle injury, he had already made three Champions Cup appearances before turning 20.
The powerful back-row forward was a Grand Slam winner with the Ireland U20s last year. plays his AIL rugby with Garryowen and came up through the ranks at Thurles RFC and Rockwell College.
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
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
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
Munster Rugby Announce Contract Deals For Murray, Daly & Gleeson
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Cardiff At Thomond
