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
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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