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Boffelli returns for Heineken Champions Cup opener

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Boffelli – who didn’t feature against Munster last weekend – is named at full-back with Wes Goosen switching to the wing in place of the injured Darcy Graham (knee).

The capital side make one further change to the backline as James Lang (inside centre) comes in for Chris Dean. The club centurion remains in the graduated return to play protocol.

Scotland hooker Stuart McInally is once again fit and starts in the only alteration to the starting pack.

Elsewhere, wing Damien Hoyland is named among the replacements and could make his 100th appearance if called upon.

Local star Hoyland is one of Edinburgh’s longest tenured players and would become the club’s 38th centurion, joining capital flyers such as Derrick Lee, Simon Webster and Tim Visser in reaching the historic milestone.

Ahead of the clash of capitals, Head Coach Mike Blair said: “This is a massive challenge for us but it’s one this group of players are really savouring – and we’ve felt that in training all week.

“The players have been switched on, alert, ready to play and eager to make amends after the disappointment of Munster last weekend.”

He added: “We are well aware of the quality Saracens possess. They are a side full of confidence with options across the park, but we’ve got plenty of quality and experience in our squad too.

“We’re really excited to be back at the top table of European rugby and we’re looking forward to representing the city and our supporters in North London this Sunday.”

An experienced back-three unit sees Boffelli start at full-back alongside wingers Goosen and Duhan van der Merwe.

Lang and fellow Scotland internationalist Mark Bennett link-up in midfield as stand-off Blair Kinghorn and scrum-half Ben Vellacott once again combine at half-back.

Hooker McInally packs down alongside props Pierre Schoeman (loosedhead) and Luan de Bruin (tighthead) as Scotland locks Jamie Hodgson and Grant Gilchrist complete front-five.

An unchanged back-row sees Fijian star Viliame Mata (number 8) start alongside Scotland skipper Jamie Ritchie (blindside) and Luke Crosbie (openside).

 

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Saracens at StoneX Stadium in the Heineken Champions Cup
Sunday 11 December (kick-off 3.15pm) – live on ITV and BT Sport

15. Emiliano Boffelli (22)

14. Wes Goosen (4)
13. Mark Bennett (76)
12. James Lang (26)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (69)

10. Blair Kinghorn (124)
9. Ben Vellacott (26)

1. Pierre Schoeman (89)
2. Stuart McInally (170)
3. Luan de Bruin (15)
4. Jamie Hodgson (46)
5. Grant Gilchrist (180)
6. Jamie Ritchie (89)
7. Luke Crosbie (77)
8. Viliame Mata (102)

Replacements

16. Patrick Harrison (8)
17. Boan Venter (34)
18. WP Nel (178)
19. Marshall Sykes (29)
20. Ben Muncaster (22)
21. Charlie Shiel (48)
22. Charlie Savala (19)
23. Damien Hoyland (99)

Unavailable: Dave Cherry, Chris Dean, Darcy Graham, Nick Haining, Cammy Hutchison, Henry Immelman, Adam McBurney, Sam Skinner, Hamish Watson.

Content & Images from – Edinburgh Rugby


URC

Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Cardiff At Thomond

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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


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URC

Squad Update | Preparations Continue For Ospreys

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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


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URC

British & Irish Lion to join Glasgow Warriors

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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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