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Dragons edged out late on by Bears

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Dragons and Bristol served up a breathless pre-season encounter as the English side produced a late surge to win an 11-try clash 45-28 in the Rodney Parade sunshine.

Angus O’Brien, Ollie Griffiths and Sean Lonsdale grabbed first half tries as the Men of Gwent impressed and deservedly took a lead into the break.

Newcomer Bradley Roberts then grabbed a fourth home try at the start of the second period for the home side. But Bristol dug deep and snatched the win wth two late tries after a night of high entertainment in Newport.

Dragons gave six new signings a starting spot – with O’Brien, Sio Tomkinson, JJ Hanrahan, Lonsdale, Roberts and Rhodri Jones all featuring from the off.

But it was Bristol who opened the scoring in the third minute as a powerful driving maul surged forward and, on the second drive, visiting hooker Bryan Byrne forced his way over. Callum Sheedy converted.

Dragons, though, hit back immediately with Tomkinson – playing his first rugby in nine months – the architect as his delayed pass freed up space down the left and O’Brien showed his pace before cutting inside to score a fine effort.

Tomkinson was impressing early on with his clever grubber collected by Lonsdale before the ball was fizzed right and John Hawkins was yellow carded for illegally slowing ball.

Dragons looked set to strike for a second time but a long-floated miss pass went over the head of Rosser when the wing looked set to stride over.

Sheedy set up a second score for the visitors – his grubber collected by wing Rich Lane – before back came the hosts once more.

More neat handling from Dyer and a direct run from Rosser, who freed cleverly freed his arms to release the evasive O’Brien, opened space.

The full back skipped up close before the forwards showed good composure to work up to the line before Griffiths duly blasted over.

Dragons looked lethal on the counter as loose ball was gobbled up in midfield and Tomkinson showed sublime handling to pick up a low pass and then dummy his way into space.

Rhodri Williams and Huw Taylor carried ball before new boy Lonsdale finished off the flowing move to a huge ovation.

Visiting centre James Williams hit back after a period of sustained pressure as Dragons took a 21-19 lead into the break.

The home side were back off and running moments into the second half as Roberts broke through, after Rosser’s burst through a gap had splintered the defence.

Both teams started to unload the benches with Rob Evans and Max Clark getting their first taste of Rodney Parade action.

Bristol looked to turn the screw and enjoyed a long spell of possession in the home half before they were rewarded as the driving maul powered over.

The visitors were enjoying territorial dominance in the final quarter and, after spirited defence held a driving lineout at bay, a sniping run from Harry Randall saw the Bears snatch the lead.

Dragons pushed for a late score to try and win the game, but two late breakaway scores from Henry Purdy put a tilted gloss on the score line for the visitors.

Timeline:

03m Byrne t Sheedy c 0-7

07m O’Brien t Hanrahan c 7-7

14m Lane t 7-12

23m Griffiths t Hantahan c 14-12

29m Lonsdale t Hanrahan c 21-12

38m Williams t Sheedy c 21-19

41m Roberts t Hanrahan c 28-19

61m Capon t 28-24

76m Randall t MacGinty c 28-31

79m Purdy t MacGinty c 28-38

80m Purdy t MacGinty c 28-45

Dragons: Angus O’Brien (J. Williams 40), Rio Dyer, Sio Tomkinson (Richards 69), Jack Dixon, Jared Rosser (Clark 52), JJ Hanrahan (Reed 67), Rhodri Williams (Jones 52); Rhodri Jones (Evans 52), Bradley Roberts, Chris Coleman (Fairbrother 33), Huw Taylor, Sean Lonsdale, Harri Keddie (Moa 34-40), Lennon Greggains (Moa 65), Ollie Griffiths (Nott 39)

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rob Evans, Lloyd Fairbrother, George Nott, Ben Moa, Lewis Jones, Will Reed, Max Clark, Jordan Williams, Josh Reynolds, James Benjamin, David Richards

Bristol Bears: Luke Morahan, Jack Bates, Joe Jenkins, James Williams, Rich Lane, Callum Sheedy, Tom Whiteley; Jake Woolmore, Bryan Byrne, Jonathan Benz-Salomon, Morgan Eames, Joe Owen, John Hawkins, Jake Heenan, Magnus Bradbury.

Replacements: Jake Kerr, Will Capon, Yann Thomas, George Kloska, Max Lahiff, Ed Holmes, Dan Thomas, Sam Lewis, Harry Randall, Andy Uren, AJ MacGinty, Henry Purdy, Ioan Lloyd. Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)

Attendance: 4,491

Content & Images from – Dragons 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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