URC
3 Welsh Grand Slammers sign new contracts.
Big news coming out of Wales.
“Scarlets are delighted to announce that three of Wales’ Grand Slam heroes have signed new contracts.”
Jonathan Davies, Ken Owens and Rob Evans have agreed new deals to extend their stay with their home region.
The international trio have come through the academy system at the Scarlets and were key members of the side that lifted the Guinness PRO12 trophy in 2017.
Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac said:
“I am delighted that Rob, Ken and Jon have re-signed for the Scarlets.”
“They have been a big part of our success in recent years and I know that our incoming coach Brad (Mooar) was very keen to secure their services moving forward.
“It is great news for the Scarlets.”
Davies has played 154 matches for the Scarlets since making his debut in August 2006.
He has gone on to become one of the leading centres in world rugby and was named the British and Irish Lions player of the series in 2017.
“I could not be happier to be staying with the Scarlets,” he said.
“I am excited about the end of the season and having spoken to our new coach Brad, excited about what is to come.
“It is something I want to be part of.
“You want to be playing in the big competitions and competing for trophies and we have been doing that at the Scarlets.
“I am delighted to have signed a new contract.”
Owens was a Lions Test player in 2017 and won his 64th Wales cap against Ireland last weekend.
The talismanic hooker has made 238 appearances for the Scarlets since making his debut against Northampton Saints in 2016.
Owens has captained the Scarlets since 2014.
He said: “I am delighted to have signed an extension to my contract.
“I am looking forward to a big end of season and building on the success we have achieved in recent years.”
Evans is another who has been at the heart of the Scarlets’ success.
The Pembrokshire product has made 118 appearances since making his debut in January 2013 and was named in the Guinness PRO14’s dream team last season.
“I love playing here, you are playing with your mates and there’s a great spirit in the squad,” said Evans.
“I have been proud to be part of the success we have achieved over the last few years.
“I want to keep playing for Wales and there is no other side in Wales I would want to play for.
“This is an exciting time to be involved with the Scarlets. I am looking forward to pulling on a Scarlets jersey again and helping us get into the play-offs for another season.”
Scarlets general manager of rugby Jon Daniels added: “We are delighted to have key players like Jon, Ken and Rob sign new deals.
“All three are from West Wales, are proud of their roots and have played a huge part in our success in recent seasons.
“As Scarlets we are equally proud to see them achieve what they have on the international stage and for all three to sign new contracts is an indication of our ambition over the coming years.”
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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