International

Thomas Discusses Rugby World Cup Omission

France winger Teddy Thomas has talked about his Rugby World Cup omission last year and there is a bit of a shocking part to his tale

Published

5 years ago

January 31, 2020

Joshua Freeman

(Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

France star Teddy Thomas has opened up on his omission from France’s Rugby World Cup squad that headed to Japan last year.

The flying-winger was a surprise exclusion from the squad and he has admitted it was a shock for him too as he was never told that he wasn’t going to be involved and still doesn’t know why he was not included.

“No, I had no feedback from the staff. But I understand. There were guys much better than me. I had a hard time having the slightest explanation. I naively thought I was part of an adventure, a project, and that was obviously not the case. The first day of the announcement, I was really affected. I thought I was going. I had a rather favourable feeling, so I went down to Biarritz to share this moment with my family, with my mother and my grandfather. I had a lot of feedback that made me believe it, but I shouldn’t have listened to people. I should have waited, with fear in my stomach. It would have saved me a lot of disillusionment. The early days were really difficult,” he said while speaking to Midi Olympique.

The 26-year-old has had a sensational season so far for French Top 14 side Racing 92 and has been recalled to the France squad for the Six Nations campaign.

However, he found it hard to pick himself up following his omission, but was incredibly happy to get another chance on the national stage under the new management.

“I used a physical trainer. He was with me in Biarritz. He made me understand that there were other objectives, including returning to the club in July. It did me good. I was able to turn the page and move on. I was on the training ground the day Raphael Ibanez called me to let me know that I was picked. I listened to his message, it was cool. True happiness,” he added.

France eventually went on to fall short in their World Cup quarter-final against Wales and could have used a player of Thomas’ talent to add another dimension to their play.

Thomas has been selected on the right-wing to start this weekend’s Six Nations opener against England and is set to win his 17th cap. Both he and the rest of the youthful national side will be hoping to put recent disappointment behind them starting with an upset against the recent World Cup finalists.

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International

Slipper to become most capped Wallaby of all-time in Bledisloe One

Published

4 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Huge Rugby

Gold Coast junior and Wallaby number 843 James Slipper will become the most capped Wallaby of all-time when he runs out for his 140th Test on Saturday afternoon at Accor Stadium.

Making his debut in 2010 against England as a 21-year-old, Slipper will surpass George Gregan’s record after being named as the replacement loosehead prop for the first Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Sydney.

A stalwart of Australian Rugby, Slipper is one of just three Wallabies to feature in four Rugby World Cups and earlier this year broke the record for the most capped Test prop ever in International Rugby.

In further team news, Queensland pair Fraser McReight and Hunter Paisami return to the starting side after fully recovering from their injuries. The openside flanker is yet to feature in the 2024 Rugby Championship, while Paisami’s knee injury kept him out of the tour to Argentina.

Maitland junior Nic White will start at scrumhalf, partnering with Noah Lolesio who returns at flyhalf, while Tom Wright has overcome an ankle complaint to earn his spot at fullback.

Wright’s return sees Andrew Kellaway shift back to the right wing, with Marika Koroibete remaining on the left edge. Len Ikitau will reignite his combination with Paisami in the midfield.

Apart from McReight, the starting forward pack is unchanged with Angus Bell, Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou the run on front row, with the side set to wear their First Nations jersey for the second time this year.

Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams will continue their partnership as the run on locks, with blindside flanker Rob Valetini and skipper Harry Wilson, joining McReight as the loose forward trio.

Western Sydney’s Brandon Paenga-Amosa will pull on the gold jersey for the first time since 2021after returning to Australian Rugby from France earlier this year. He’ll join Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa in an experienced replacement front row.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has also overcome injury to be selected as the substitute second rower, with Langi Gleeson to cover the backrow.

Reds duo Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh are the replacement halves for the second straight Test, with Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch rounding out the matchday 23.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year.”

“We’ve acknowledged the poor finish to our time in Argentina and we’re keen to turn that around on what will be a particularly special day for James and his family.”

Watch all the action on Stan Sport with every Wallabies Test streaming ad-free, live and on demand with Wallabies at home in 4K UHD. Wallabies matches will also be shown live on the Nine Network.

Wallabies team to play New Zealand at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday September 21 at 3:45pm AEST

Angus Bell (31 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
Matt Faessler (10 Tests) – USQ Saint
Taniela Tupou (54 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
Nick Frost (19 Tests) – Hornsby Lions
Jeremy Williams (6 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers
Rob Valetini (46 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
Fraser McReight (20 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
Harry Wilson (c) (17 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
Nic White (69 Tests) – Maitland Blacks
Noah Lolesio (23 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
Marika Koroibete (62 Tests) – Nasinu Secondary College, Fiji
Hunter Paisami (29 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
Len Ikitau (33 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
Andrew Kellaway (33 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
Tom Wright (31 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (14 Tests) – Southern Districts
James Slipper (139 Tests) – Bond Pirates
Allan Alaalatoa (74 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (35 Tests) – Randwick
Langi Gleeson (7 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins
Tate McDermott (35 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
Tom Lynagh (3 Tests) – University of Queensland
Dylan Pietsch (2 Tests) – Leeton Phantoms

Wallabies 2024 Tests

July Tests

Wallabies 25 defeated Wales 16, Saturday July 6 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies 36 defeated Wales 28 on Saturday July 13 at AAMI Park, Melbourne

Wallabies 40 defeated Georgia 29 on Saturday July 20 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup

Wallabies 7 defeated by South Africa 33, Saturday August 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Wallabies 12 defeated by South Africa 30 on Saturday August 17 at Optus Stadium, Perth

Wallabies 20 defeated Argentina 19 on Saturday August 31 at Estadio Uno Estudiantes de La Plata, La Plata

Wallabies 27 defeated by Argentina 67 on Saturday September 7 at Estadio Colon, Santa Fe

Wallabies v New Zealand, 3:45pm AEST, Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies v New Zealand, 5:05pm AEST, Saturday September 28 at Sky Stadium, Wellington

End of Year Tour

Wallabies v England, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday November 10, Twickenham, London

Wallabies v Wales, 3:10am AEDT, Monday November 18, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Wallabies v Scotland, 12:40am AEDT, Monday November 25, Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Wallabies v Ireland, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday December 1, Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Tickets to the Wallabies 2024 Home Tests are available to purchase here.

The Bledisloe Cup in Sydney is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Content & Images from – Australia Rugby

6 Nations

Easterby Names 33-Player Emerging Ireland Squad For South Africa Tour

Published

2 days ago

September 18, 2024

Huge Rugby

Head Coach Simon Easterby has today named a 33-player Emerging Ireland squad for the upcoming three-match Tour to South Africa.

Easterby, along with the National Coaching Team, have identified high potential players from across the four Provinces to assemble for camp at the IRFU High Performance Centre next week, before departing for Bloemfontein on Saturday, 28 September.

Munster’s Alex Kendellen, who previously captained Ireland U20s, has been named as Tour captain.

Two players who were part of Andy Farrell‘s Ireland squad for the recent Summer Tour of South Africa – Sam Prendergast and Cormac Izuchukwu – are included in the travelling party, while former Ireland U20 captains Gus McCarthy and Evan O’Connell are named by Head Coach Easterby.

Ulster forward Izuchukwu is one of two players set for their second Emerging Ireland Tour alongside Leinster back row James Culhane.

Emerging Ireland will face the Pumas in their campaign opener on Wednesday, 2 October (Kick-off 4pm local time/3pm Irish time), before going head-to-head with Super Rugby outfit Western Force on Sunday, 6 October (Kick-off 1pm local time/12pm Irish time).

Easterby’s side will then conclude the Tour against defending Currie Cup champions the Cheetahs on Wednesday, 9 October (Kick-off 7pm local time/6pm Irish time), with all matches being played at Toyota Stadium.

The Tour schedule is designed to challenge the players in a National Team environment, providing them with a window to impress the coaches and train and play to the National Team’s tactical and technical approach, while presenting them with access to meaningful game time in a green jersey.

Broadcast details for Emerging Ireland’s three matches will be confirmed in due course.

Emerging Ireland Squad:

Forwards (18):

Jack Aungier (Lansdowne FC/Connacht)
Jack Boyle (UCD RFC/Leinster)
James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Jordan Duggan (Naas RFC/Connacht)
Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster)
Ronan Foxe (Garryowen FC/Munster)
Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
Sean Jansen (Connacht)
Alex Kendellen (UCC RFC/Munster)(captain)
Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
Harry Sheridan (Dublin University FC/Ulster)
Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)

Backs (15):

Shayne Bolton (Connacht)
Hugh Cooney (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster)
Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
Cormac Foley (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Ulster)
Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Sean O’Brien (Clontarf FC/Munster)
Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster)
Jude Postlethwaite (Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Rob Russell (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster/Ireland Sevens).

Emerging Ireland Tour Fixtures:

Wednesday, 2 October: Emerging Ireland v The Pumas, 4pm local time/3pm Irish time
Sunday, 6 October: Emerging Ireland v Western Force, 1pm local time/12pm Irish time
Wednesday, 9 October: Emerging Ireland v The Cheetah, 7pm local time/6pm Irish time.

Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography

6 Nations

Munster Rugby Announce Contract Deals For Murray, Daly & Gleeson

Published

6 months ago

April 3, 2024

Huge Rugby

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.

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.