URC
De Wet ready to weather the storm
Scrumhalf Paul de Wet is excited about adapting to the radical change in conditions as the DHL Stormers switch from summer to winter in Glasgow on Sunday.
The unsung De Wet has proven himself to be a pillar of consistency for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship defending champs, while jockeying for the No.9 jersey in a three-way position battle with Godlen Masimla and Springbok halfback Herschel Jantjies.
Jantjies and Masimla have been ruled out of the team’s two-match trip to the United Kingdom, leaving De Wet, veteran Stefan Ungerer and uncapped Imad Khan to front the Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium this week, and London Irish at the Gtech Community Stadium in the Heineken Champions Cup on 15 January.
De Wet has made seven starts in 10 Vodacom URC matches leading up to the clash against the Warriors, and with the DHL Stormers coming off the high of two big derby wins in the competition over the Vodacom Bulls and Emirates Lions, the 26-year-old is eager to build on that momentum.
The Warriors, who lost 32-7 in the last meeting with the DHL Stormers at DHL Stadium in 2021/22, are also coming off back-to-back derby wins against Edinburgh to quietly climb into sixth on the standings, 15 points behind the second-placed DHL Stormers.
“We are taking each game as a unique opportunity and challenge for the group. South African derbies take a different energy and adrenaline but now we need to focus on the next game,” De Wet said.
“We treat all our opposition with the highest respect. Playing away from home against any team will take that extra effort. Conditions are different and we will need to adapt and play the situation.”
Glasgow rival Ali Price – a British & Irish Lion who has won 58 Test caps for Scotland – is a formidable opponent, yet De Wet is relishing the duel as another opportunity for the former Paarl Boys’ High prodigy to catch the eye of national selectors in a World Cup year.
“It is a great honour and privilege to play against the nines in the business, but I can only focus on my game and what is best for the team,” De Wet said.
“I suppose every player is dreaming of the highest honours achievable. I am grateful for every opportunity to get gametime, improve my game in all departments and contribute to the team’s performance.”
It was close to 30 degrees playing on grass in front of thousands of supporters at DHL Stadium over the festive period for the DHL Stormers, who are now expected to face a hostile crowd on a synthetic pitch in icy Glasgow.
De Wet, though, has embraced the challenge of cross-hemisphere conditions that comes with campaigning in Europe and the Republic simultaneously.
“As professionals we need to adapt to every situation. Crowds, climate and pitches are now realities of this Vodacom URC competition,” he added.
“We were exposed to it on the tours to France and Wales and we know it will take extra focus and motivation to weather the storm.”
Content & Images from – Stormers Rugby
Harry Sheridan commits future to Ulster Rugby
9 minutes ago
News
Ulster Rugby forward, Harry Sheridan, has committed his future to the province, signing a new two-year-deal that will keep him playing in the white jersey until at least 2027.
The combative forward, who can play in the second or back row, had a significant impact in the Senior Men’s side last season, with his performances recognised when he was named the province’s Young Men’s Player of the Year for the 2023/24 season.
The Holywood man has seen a significant number of minutes since Head Coach, Richie Murphy, came into the club, and has been trusted to play a key role in the squad.
Sheridan played his club rugby with Civil Service NI RFC, and schools’ rugby for Sullivan Upper School.
He would join Ulster Rugby’s sub-Academy after playing rugby for Trinity College in Dublin, where he studied.
The powerful forward, has represented Ireland at U20s level, competing in the 2021 Six Nations Championship.
On the news of Sheridan’s contract extension, Ulster Rugby’s Head of Recruitment and Rugby Operations, Bryn Cunningham said:
“We are delighted to secure Harry’s future with this extension, as we see him being an integral part of the team for the present and future.
“He is a throwback of a player, a forward who disrupts the opposition, is aggressive and who brings a proper physical presence for us. At 22-years-old, he is showing great potential and has grown in stature over the past season, showing his versatility at lock and flanker.
“We look forward to seeing how he develops in the seasons ahead in an Ulster jersey.”
On the news on his new deal, Sheridan added:
“I’m so happy to sign for a further two years. Last season was a huge year for me as I got more game-time in the senior side, and it was a massive learning curve in a season full of ups and downs.
I’m looking forward to improving my game and rolling into this year where I finished the last one. We have a great forward pack that I love training and playing alongside.
I am really enjoying the environment and going into training ready to work and learn.
It’s a perfect start to the season for me and I can’t wait to get stuck into another season.”
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
Munster Rugby are delighted to announce that Tadhg Beirne has been named as the new captain ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Beirne joins a select group of eight players who have been named as permanent captain of the Munster Rugby men’s team in the professional era, following in the footsteps of Pat Murray, Mick Galwey, Jim Williams, Anthony Foley, Paul O’Connell, Doug Howlett and Peter O’Mahony.
Tadhg joined Munster from Scarlets in 2018 and quickly established himself as a vital player for province and country.
He made his Ireland debut against Australia in June 2018 and played his first game for Munster against Glasgow in September 2018.
The 32-year-old has gone on to score eight tries in 76 appearances for Munster, winning a URC title in 2023.
He has scored 11 tries in 52 appearances for Ireland and three tries in five appearances for the British & Irish Lions.
Following the announcement, Tadhg Beirne said: “It’s a huge honour to be named as captain of Munster Rugby and to lead a great group of players into the new season.
“I have had a fantastic six years here and it’s an incredibly proud moment for me and my family.
“Very few people have had the opportunity to captain Munster Rugby, and it’s a massive honour to follow in the footsteps of some incredible players and leaders.
“I had the privilege of leading the team a number of times in the past and the job was always made easier by the amount of leaders we have in the squad.
“We have a very tight-knit group and it means a lot to me to lead the squad as captain for the season ahead.”
Munster Rugby Head Coach Graham Rowntree said: “Tadhg is a world-class player who always leads by example. He is the right man to lead Munster into the new season.
“A player of his calibre commands respect and he has grown into a key leader for us since coming here in 2018.
“As a 52-cap Ireland international and British & Irish Lion, he demands the best out of everyone and drives standards within the group.
““He is an extremely calm presence on and off the field. It was very impressive to see how he was able to perform at his usual high level while captaining the squad in a number of big games last season.”
Tickets
URC Round 1: Saturday, September 21
Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 3: Saturday, October 5
Munster v Ospreys, Virgin Media Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Saturday, November 2
Munster v All Blacks XV, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; SOLD OUT
URC Round 7: Saturday, November 30
Munster v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 1: Saturday, December 7
Munster v Stade Francais, Thomond Park, 5:30pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 3: Saturday, January 11
Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 9: Friday, December 27
Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 11: Saturday, February 15
Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 12: Friday, February 28
Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 15: Saturday, April 19
Munster v Bulls, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 17: Friday, May 9
Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 18: Friday, May 16
Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park, 8pm; Buy tickets here
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Stuart McCloskey signs new two-year deal
23 hours ago
News
Ulster Rugby is pleased to announce that centre, Stuart McCloskey, has signed a new two-year contract extension, committing his future with his province until at least 2027.
One of the top centres in World Rugby, McCloskey has been a stalwart for Ulster Rugby, and is in-line to hit his 200th appearance in the white jersey over the coming season.
A regular in the international set-up with eighteen caps to-date, he has been a key member of the Ireland squad that has won back-to-back Guinness Six Nations Championships in 2023 and 2024.
The Bangor man also played his part in Ireland reaching the Quarter-Final stage of the Rugby World Cup in 2023.
McCloskey, who played club rugby with Dungannon RFC, made his Ulster debut in February 2014 – and has developed into an elite ball carrier, with strong ball in hand qualities.
Ulster Rugby’s Head of Recruitment and Rugby Operations, Bryn Cunningham, said:
“This is fantastic news for us as we get ready for the new season. Stuart is one of our most experienced international players in our squad, and a standout member of the team.
“Being a key presence for us, not only on the pitch, but off it as well, we see his current leadership role really growing and evolving, particularly with so many young players in and around the Senior Men’s squad. Stuart will be a great role model for this talent coming through.
“We are delighted he has chosen to commit his future for the next couple of seasons, as we hope to see this team continue to progress in the months ahead.”
On the new deal, McCloskey, added:
“I’m delighted to have signed a new contract for the next two years. I feel like I’m playing the best rugby of my career, and I’m enjoying my role as one of the more experienced players in the team.
“We have a squad packed with talent, and have a good blend between experience and youth. It’s exciting times around the place, and we have a core of young centres coming through that I’m excited to work with and help push them on.
“I’m really motivated and excited for the season ahead as we move forward.”
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
Harry Sheridan commits future to Ulster Rugby
Tadhg Beirne Named As New Munster Rugby Captain
