URC
Cherry and Haining back for Zebre Parma clash
Hooker Cherry starts up front having recovered from the hamstring injury which kept him out since late October, while back-row Haining is once again fit (calf) after being sidelined for the capital side’s last four fixtures.
The duo bolster an Edinburgh team which includes nine changes to the XV that faced Glasgow Warriors last weekend.
In the backline, Cammy Hutchison (inside centre) makes his first starts of the season, with Jack Blain named on the wing.
With a number of senior back-three players unavailable, Blair Kinghorn shifts to wing meaning Charlie Savala gets the nod at stand-off alongside scrum-half Charlie Shiel.
In the pack, Angus Williams starts at tighthead prop as Jamie Hodgson (lock) comes into the tight-five.
Academy graduate Connor Boyle gets the nod at openside flanker after featuring from the bench in last weekend’s 1872 Cup decider.
Ahead of the fixture, Head Coach Mike Blair said: “We’re really excited to give a number of players their opportunity this weekend and they’ll be raring to step up and represent the city in a hugely important fixture for the club.
“We’ve talked a lot this week around those one, two, three percenters and we’ve worked a lot on individual prep and detail that will stand us in good stead heading into Saturday.
“Zebre Parma ran us really close last season, at home, so we know how dangerous they can be if they get space and momentum.”
A new-look back-three sees academy player Harry Paterson continue at full-back alongside wingers Blain and Kinghorn.
Outside centre Mark Bennett continues in midfield alongside Hutchison as Savala and Shiel combine at half-back.
Cherry packs down alongside Venter and Williams up front as Hodgson and Sam Skinner combine in the second-row.
Blindside flanker Luke Crosbie – named captain – starts alongside Haining and Boyle in the back-row.
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Zebre Parma at DAM Health Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Saturday 7 January (kick-off 3pm) – live on Viaplay.
15. Harry Paterson (3)
14. Jack Blain (21)
13. Mark Bennett (78)
12. Cammy Hutchison (15)
11. Blair Kinghorn (127)
10. Charlie Savala (22)
9. Charlie Shiel (50)
1. Boan Venter (38)
2. Dave Cherry (62)
3. Angus Williams (18)
4. Sam Skinner (6)
5. Jamie Hodgson (47)
6. Luke Crosbie (80) CAPTAIN
7. Connor Boyle (27)
8. Nick Haining (31)
Replacements
16. Patrick Harrison (10)
17. Nick Auterac (2)
18. Luan de Bruin (16)
19. Marshall Sykes (33)
20. Viliame Mata (106)
21. Ben Vellacott (29)
22. Jaco van der Walt (93)
23. James Lang (30)
Unavailable: Emiliano Boffelli, Matt Currie, Chris Dean, Wes Goosen, Darcy Graham, Damien Hoyland, Henry Immelman, Adam McBurney, Stuart McInally, Ben Muncaster, Pierce Phillips, Duhan van der Merwe, Hamish Watson.
Rest protocol: Grant Gilchrist, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman.
Content & Images from – Edinburgh Rugby
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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