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Cardiff confirm captain for 2022-23 season

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Josh Turnbull has once again been named Cardiff Rugby’s captain ahead of the 2022-23 season. 

The versatile forward was named club captain last season, having led the Blue and Blacks on numerous occasions previously.

Turnbull has now made 171 first team appearances for Cardiff, including 14 last season, and is closing in on the URC appearance record of 252.

He retains the captaincy honour once again as Cardiff look to bounce back from a disappointing United Rugby Championship season last time out. 

Turnbull said: “To be captain of this rugby club is a massive honour. There’s a rich tradition of captains here and when I got the job last year, we mentioned all the names who’ve gone before me.

“I’m chuffed to get it again and to lead this group of boys but I’m under no illusions of what kind of job I’ve got to do. First and foremost, I’ve got to make sure I’m playing well and make sure i’m in the squad and playing.  

“We’ve got a real good, strong and competitive back five of the scrum and we’ve made some quality signings in that area as well, so first and foremost I have to get my own my own form right.  

“It was disappointing from my end how last season finished – thumped twice by the Scarlets, beaten well by the Ospreys, Sarries as well and then obviously going out Treviso and finishing that game off was real tough to take.  

“After everything we went through last year, (looking back) I think (subconsciously) we just wanted to get it over and done with as quickly as possible. But what I’ve really pleased about is the way the boys have come back in refreshed, everyone’s been really energised and wants to get into work and get on with the new task in front of us. 

“We have to put a bit of respect back into that jersey and this squad is ready to do that.” 

There are plenty of other players who have regularly led Cardiff in the past, including the likes of Kristian Dacey, Ellis Jenkins, Josh Navidi and Lloyd Williams, while Thomas Young has led Wasps on numerous times.

With these players and the usual leadership roles in key positions, Turnbull believes he has plenty of support in the role and will lead by example rather than being overly vocal.

He continued:  “I probably see myself more as a captain that leads by example and by my actions rather than having to say too much. 

“There’s plenty of leaders within the squad who can do that. The game drivers in terms of nines and your 10s, your defensive captains, your attack captains. So, I’ll try and lead by what I do on the field and what I do in around the environment. Melon was pretty similar to that, he leads by example.”

Cardiff kick-off the URC season against Munster on Friday, September 16 (7.35pm), and will warm up with pre-season friendlies against Gloucester on September 2, and Zebre Parma on September 9.

As pre-season preparations intensify and the focus on rugby sharpens, Turnbull expects the ante to rise continually, and he is relishing the opener against the Irish outfit at what he hopes will be a packed Arms Park.

He added: “It’s very rewarding when you start getting closer to the games because all that hard work starts to come to fruition. We’re going into week six of pre-season and we’re all eager to keep the momentum going and start building towards Gloucester game in a couple of weeks when we have that first pre-season hit out. 

“Friday night under the lights in Arms Park, it doesn’t get much better than that. Everyone wants to be involved in that first fixture, everyone is going to be working real hard now the next couple of weeks to get in there.  

“We had a real good, ding-dong battle with Munster for about 60 minutes last season over there and we’ve got a little bit of form on this pitch against the Irish teams so hopefully, we can take that into the start the season against them.” 

Match tickets for the pre-season friendly against Zebre on Friday, September 9, and the first FIVE home games of the URC season are now available. Click here to purchase match tickets of Season Memberships.

Content & Images from – Cardiff 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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