URC
There’s a job opening at Ulster Rugby. Could this be for Ruan Pienaar?
He certainly fits the criteria.
Since the news broke that Ruan Pienaar had terminated his deal with Montpellier with one year remaining on his contract, Ulster fans have been excited at the thought of one of their favourite adopted sons returning to Belfast.
Many fans have already acknowledged that John Cooney has filled his boots superbly well and David Shanahan has made huge progressions since Pienaar left Irish soil but many fans are keen to see the former Springbok return to Belfast in some sort of role.
Back to @UlsterRugby player / coach #RuanPienaar @HugeRugby https://t.co/mn37tB9RGy
— Craig Gilmore (@craighgilmore) June 8, 2019
Well….. there happens to be a job opening at the Kingspan Stadium and we know one guy who certainly fits the job description.
“Elite Player Development Officer (EPDO) – Backs Specialist”
The job summary reads:
“Ulster Rugby are currently inviting applications for the post of Elite Player Development Officer (EPDO) Backs Specialist. Reporting to the Academy Manager, the post holder will assist Ulster Rugby with delivery of the National Talent Program in Ulster, with particular attention on back play, and ensuring vibrant development programs exist through which elite players are identified for Ulster & Ireland.
The successful candidate will have IRFU Level 2 (Stage 4) coaching qualification (or equivalent) attended, or working towards this as of the closing date and have experience delivering collective/reduced coaching sessions at Stages 3, 4 and 5 of the LTPD pathway coupled with 2 years playing at an elite level or a minimum of 1 years’ experience delivering collective/reduced coaching sessions at Stages 3, 4 and 5 of the LTPD pathway.
It is anticipated that interviews will take place on either the 1st or 2nd July 2019. To apply, please download a detailed job description and person specification and complete the online application. The closing date for completed application forms is no later than 9am on Friday 21st June 2019.“
Digging into the full job description (which you can view here) there are a few other little hints that Ulster Rugby could have a particular someone in mind.
The successful candidate must have some specific experience.
“Experience delivering collective/reduced coaching sessions at Stages 3, 4 and 5 of the LTPD pathway coupled with 2 years playing at an elite level;
or – A minimum of 1 years’ experience delivering collective/reduced coaching sessions at Stages 3, 4 and 5 of the LTPD pathway
We’re maybe adding 2+2 and getting 5 but it’s been no secret that Pienaar has always been keen to return to Belfast and with his family moving back shortly after their move to France it’s clear that if a role at Ulster Rugby came up he could certainly be tempted.
With interviews set to take place on July 1st and 2nd, we won’t need to wait too long to see who the successful candidate is.
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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