URC
Crosbie and Lang return for Saracens
Both players are once again fit (concussion) having completed the graduated return-to-play protocol this week and join fellow Scotland cap Ben Vellacott – who starts at scrum-half – in the only changes to the XV that claimed a bonus-point win against Castres Olympique last Sunday.
Both sides have already secured their place in the knockout stages but head into Sunday’s contest knowing a win could guarantee a top-four position in Pool A, and thus a home Round of 16 tie (w/o 31 March).
DAM Health Stadium is all but sold-out for this can’t-miss European clash, with only a small number of single seats available in the 7,774 capacity ground. The club expects to announce a full house later today.
Ahead of the match, Head Coach Mike Blair said: “Games like this are why we’re all involved in professional rugby. A massive European tie against English giants, a sold-out home crowd and the prospect of securing home advantage in the knockout stages.
“As I mentioned earlier in the week, it’s amazing the difference a win can make. Claiming all five points in Castres was a brilliant result for us and it’s acted as a catalyst for a really strong training week.
“A win like that focuses the mind a little bit more and there’s been a buzz around the squad as we prepare to take on a quality Saracens side who are full of confidence at the moment.
“To have a sold-out DAM Health Stadium behind us will be absolutely massive and I’m sure our supporters will back us from first minute to last, as they have done all season.”
An unchanged back-three sees Henry Immleman continue at full-back with Blair Kinghorn and Jack Blain selected on the wings.
Lang returns to partner Mark Bennett in midfield as Vellacott combines with stand-off Charlie Savala at half-back.
An unchanged front-row sees hooker Dave Cherry – who this week penned a new two-year deal with the club – pack down alongside Scotland props WP Nel and Pierre Schoeman.
Sam Skinner returns to his more familiar position of lock, having started on the blindside last weekend, with co-captain Grant Gilchrist retaining his place in the second-row to complete the tight-five.
Jamie Ritchie (openside flanker) – named Scotland captain for the upcoming Six Nations Championship earlier this week – and Viliame Mata (number 8) continue in the back-row alongside the returning Crosbie.
On the bench, Adam McBurney (hooker) and Wes Goosen (back-three) both return from injury to be involved in the 23, while lock Jamie Hodgson could make his 50th appearance if called upon.
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Saracens at DAM Health Stadium in the Heineken Champions Cup
Sunday 22 January (kick-off 5.30pm) – live on BT Sport
15. Henry Immelman (23)
14. Jack Blain (23)
13. Mark Bennett (80)
12. James Lang (31)
11. Blair Kinghorn (129)
10. Charlie Savala (24)
9. Ben Vellacott (31)
1. Pierre Schoeman (94)
2. Dave Cherry (64)
3. WP Nel (183)
4. Sam Skinner (8)
5. Grant Gilchrist (185) CO-CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (94) CO-CAPTAIN
7. Luke Crosbie (81)
8. Viliame Mata (108)
Replacements
16. Adam McBurney (17)
17. Boan Venter (39)
18. Lee-Roy Atalifo (28)
19. Jamie Hodgson (49)
20. Nick Haining (32)
21. Henry Pyrgos (79)
22. Cammy Hutchison (17)
23. Wes Goosen (6)
Unavailable: Emiliano Boffelli, Luan de Bruin, Matt Currie, Chris Dean, Darcy Graham, Patrick Harrison, Damien Hoyland, Stuart McInally, Harry Paterson, Pierce Phillips, Duhan van der Merwe, Hamish Watson, Angus Williams.
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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