URC
Munster and Connacht Name Strong Sides for Provincial Derby
Munster and Connacht will send out strong teams for the final regular season game
Neither Munster nor Connacht have rested too many players ahead of their match at Thomond Park on Saturday at 19 35.
The game is the final regular season match for both sides, with the two having already claimed play-off spots in Conference A.
Munster have named Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer in the front-three, with Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne opening at four and five respectively.
Peter O’Mahony captains the team from blindside flanker once more, with Chris Cloete at openside and CJ Stander completing the pack at No 8.
Conor Murray and Tyler Bleyendaal continue their half-back partnership in the absence of Joey Carbery, as Dan Goggin and Chris Farrell line-up outside them in the centre.
Calvin Nash begins the game on the left-wing, with Andrew Conway on the right and the ever-present Mike Haley at 15.
The visitors have a large number of experienced players to call upon from the replacements with the likes of John Ryan, Billy Holland, Arno Botha and JJ Hanrahan among them
? Team Named | 4 changes for Saturday's game against Connacht.
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) April 26, 2019
Munster's Player of the Year Captain @peterom6 & Young Player of the Year @DanGoggin121113 start for round 21 of the Guinness PRO14 @thomondstadium #MUNvCON #SUAF ?
Team news >> https://t.co/uVDI3Uz5s4 pic.twitter.com/XvNHbznoKp
Speaking before the game Munster head coach Johann van Graan has called on his team to bounce back from their Champions Cup semi-final loss to Saracens during the inter-provincial derby on Saturday.
“We as a group, as a coaching group, as players, we all win together, and we all lose together. We want to improve, and it starts again on Saturday night against Connacht,” he said.
The hosts start with Matthew Burke, Tom McCarthy and fit again Finley Bealham in the front-row, with Joe Maksymiw and James Cannon in the second-row.
Eoin McKeon, captain Jarrar Butler and Robin Copeland conclude the pack at six, seven and eight respectively.
The experienced Kieran Marmion is at scrum-half, alongside debutant Conor Dean at fly-half. Tom Daly and Bundee Aki are paired in the centre after Aki was cleared of any wrongdoing for mistakenly “liking” Israel Falou’s anti-LGBT post that has dominated the headlines recently.
Stephen Fitzgerald and Niyi Adeolokun are on the wings with Tiernan O’Hallaron at full-back.
There is a chance to impress from the bench for the eight replacements with Caolin Blade among them, who is looking for game-time to try and sneak into Joe Schmidt’s World Cup squad.
Connacht coach Andy Friend is looking forward to facing Munster and knows his side face a tough challenge on Saturday.
“Munster are an outstanding side. We saw that when we played them at home earlier in the season and they have been even better since. There is still a huge incentive for our players. We know that these interpro fixtures always bring out the best in our boys and we know that going to Thomond Park is a massive challenge,” he said.
Munster are still in with a chance of securing top-spot in Conference A and a home semi-final with it, however, they need to beat Connacht and hope that Edinburgh defeat Glasgow. On the other hand, Connacht are guaranteed third in the conference and are looking toward a quarter-final showdown with Ulster next weekend.
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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