URC
Glasgow vs Ulster Preview; Injured Players Return for Both
A number of key players have returned to line-out for the two sides in their Pro 14 semi-final
Glasgow Warriors and Ulster have been boosted by the return of some key men ahead of their Pro 14 semi-final at Scotstoun on Friday at 19 35.
For the hosts co-captain Callum Gibbins returns from a head injury sustained against Saracens in the Champions Cup quarterfinals, while also being able to name DTH van der Merwe on the wing.
On the other hand, the visitors have been massively lifted by the timely returns of both Jacob Stockdale and Louis Ludik, who slot straight into the back three as their side look to reach the final for the first time in six years.
Glasgow start the game with a front-three of Jamie Bhatti, Fraser Brown and Zander Fagerson, with Scott Cummings and Jonny Gray behind them on in the second-row.
The pack is finished with the strong trio of Rob Harly, Gibbins and Matt Fagerson
Scotland international Ali Price opens at scrum-half with Adam Hastings partnering him from fly-half. Sam Johnson and Kyle Steyn are just outside the pair in the 12 and 13 jerseys respectively.
It is a formidable back-three as van der Merwe and Tommy Seymour open on the wings with Stuart Hogg at full-back. This will be Hogg’s final home game for the Warriors before his summer switch to Exeter Chiefs.
There is plenty of strength on the bench as well with the likes of Ryan Wilson, George Horne, Peter Horne and Huw Jones to call upon.
For Ulster it’s a front-row of Eric O’Sullivan, captain Rory Best and Ross Kane with Ian Henderson and Kieran Treadwell in the engine room.
At the back of the pack there is a serious amount of power with Nick Timoney, Jordi Murphy and Marcel Coetzee on the flanks and at No 8 respectively.
John Cooney continues alongside Billy Burns in the half-backs, while Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshell are in the centre.
Louis Ludik begins the game on the left-wing with Robert Baloucoune on the right and Jacob Stockdale moves to full-back for the clash.
Just like the home side Ulster have depth on the bench with Rob Herring, Sean Reidy, David Shanahan and Darren Cave among those ready to play their part.
Speaking ahead of the final-four clash Ulster head coach Dan McFarland, whose side have gone further this season than most expected, is looking forward to testing his team against one of the best teams in the league.
“We’re treating it as an opportunity to play against a quality side and are confident in the work we’ve done this week, but understanding it’s a difficult task. It’s what you want to be doing. We could be on our sun loungers now, but we’re playing play-off rugby which is brilliant,” he said.
The prize for the victor will be a place in the final against either Leinster or Munster who face off in the other semi-final on Saturday and from there who knows what could happen with all hoping to claim the Pro 14 title after another incredible season.
The Munster squad are preparing at the HPC ahead of Saturday night’s URC Round 13 clash against Cardiff at Thomond Park.
The game kicks off at 7.35pm with tickets from €20 available here.
In player news, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Peter O’Mahony have all returned to the HPC after helping Ireland to the 6 Nations title.
On the injury front, Academy back-row forward Ruadhán Quinn suffered a hand injury against Ospreys on Friday night and will be sidelined for a number of weeks.
Oli Jager and Fineen Wycherley have started their rehab following minor procedures for respective knee injuries.
Alex Nankivell is completing the RTP protocols and his availability will be determined later this week.
Simon Zebo was unavailable for the Ospreys game due to a low-grade hip injury and is due to return to training this week.
Continuing to rehab: Dave Kilcoyne (shoulder), Diarmuid Barron (foot), Roman Salanoa (knee), Jean Kleyn (knee/eye), Paddy Patterson (knee), Liam Coombes (shoulder), Patrick Campbell (shoulder).
There were 15 Munster players in AIL action at the weekend.
In Division 1A, Fionn Gibbons and Chris Moore helped Young Munster beat Dublin University with Gibbons among the tries.
Mark Donnelly lined out for Cork Constitution as they were beaten by Terenure College.
Kieran Ryan, Darragh McSweeney and Daniel Okeke couldn’t prevent Shannon falling to a defeat to City of Armagh.
In Division 1B, Colm Hogan, Jack Oliver, George Hadden, Max Clein, Cian Hurley and Jack Daly helped Garryowen to a win over Queen’s University. Hogan, Clein and Cronin were among the tries with Oliver kicking a conversion.
Scott Buckley and Andrew O’Mahony were in action for UCC as they lost to St Mary’s College.
Tickets
URC Round 13: Saturday, March 30
Munster v Cardiff Rugby, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Women’s 6 Nations Round 3: Saturday, April 13
Ireland v Wales, Virgin Media Park, 4.45pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 16: Saturday, May 11
Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 18: Saturday, June 1
Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
The Munster squad are continuing preparations ahead of Friday night’s URC Round 12 clash against Ospreys in Swansea (7.35pm).
On the injury front, there is good news for John Hodnett (finger), Jack O’Donoghue (knee) and Simon Zebo (knee) as they all return to training this week.
Oli Jager (knee) and Fineen Wycherley (knee) are both due to see specialists this week for possible surgery.
Alex Nankivell is following the return to play protocols following a head injury in training last week.
On the international front, Craig Casey and Jeremy Loughman have returned to the squad after Ireland’s 6 Nations triumph at the weekend.
Continuing to rehab: Dave Kilcoyne (shoulder), Diarmuid Barron (foot), Roman Salanoa (knee), Jean Kleyn (knee/eye), Paddy Patterson (knee), Liam Coombes (shoulder), Patrick Campbell (shoulder).
Tickets
URC Round 13: Saturday, March 30
Munster v Cardiff Rugby, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Women’s 6 Nations Round 3: Saturday, April 13
Ireland v Wales, Virgin Media Park, 4.45pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 16: Saturday, May 11
Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 18: Saturday, June 1
Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Sutherland to join Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors can confirm that Scotland prop Rory Sutherland will join the club this summer.
The British and Irish Lion joins the Scotstoun-outfit from French side Oyonnax, making the move to Scotstoun on a two-year deal as Franco Smith’s squad continues to take shape.
The confirmation of the loose-head prop’s move to Glasgow also comes on the eve of his involvement in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland in Dublin, where he is in contention to win his 30th cap for Scotland, part of the match day squad.
The 31-year-old Sutherland will bring a dynamic ball-carrying presence to the Warriors in addition to a solid platform at the set-piece.
After making his debut for Edinburgh in 2014, the prop went on to make 91 appearances in the capital before a summer switch to Worcester Warriors in 2021.
A short-term stint with Ulster followed after Worcester’s demise in 2022, running out on 12 occasions for the Irish province.
Sutherland’s form for Scotland across the 2020 and 2021 campaigns saw him selected for the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, joining future Glasgow team-mate Zander Fagerson amongst the front-row options.
He became the first Scottish prop to represent the invitational squad since the late Tom Smith when selected for the first Test, playing just under an hour in the 22-17 victory over the Springboks.
Sutherland said: “The past couple of years have been tough since I had to leave Worcester. I’ve been at a few clubs and I haven’t had the consistency I’d have liked in my game. This move to Glasgow, and back to Scotland, offers me the chance to work on getting that back into my rugby.
“Glasgow is a really successful team, so to be offered the chance to come to Scotstoun is attractive for any player. For me, it allows me to come back home, and be closer to my family, which will work wonders for me.
“I’ve gotten close to some of the Glasgow players while in camp with Scotland and they talk highly of Franco and the culture in the club. I’m looking forward to that and getting back to the homeland!”
Head Coach Smith added: “We are pleased to be able to add a prop of Rory’s calibre to our squad ahead of next season.
“His qualities will make him a real asset to our playing group, as we continue to develop our strength in every position.
“We look forward to seeing him in action at Scotstoun over the next couple of seasons and we know that the Warrior Nation will welcome him to our club.”
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