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Evans calls for response as Cardiff return to home comforts

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Jarrod Evans has called upon Cardiff to feed off the intensity and passion of the Arms Park crowd to get back to winning ways in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

The Blue and Blacks host Emirates Lions on Friday night (7.35pm) following a mixed start to the Championship season. They kicked-off with a thrilling victory over Munster before falling to a heavy defeat on the road to Glasgow Warriors.

The fly-half admits his side must learn to deal with adversity better in games but is also buoyed to return to the Arms Park, where the home side have won six of their last eight URC fixtures.

He said: “We have a big focus on trying to improve our away form and Glasgow is a tough place to go. I’m not sure but I think they lost maybe once or not at all at Scotstoun last year. 

“But I thought we started well, we weathered the storm and kept the home crowd out of it. We took a good 7-0 lead but didn’t help ourselves with the cards. We didn’t deal with them or control the game when they happened and they scored 21 points. From there we struggled to get our momentum back. 

 

“Again, we came out in the second-half again quite well and similar thing happened so it’s quite disappointing because I felt like we started the game pretty well.

“It’s hard to put your finger on anything in particular, but I think it’s just about trying to control those key moments. When one thing happens, we have just got to park it and move on. We can’t let it affect our game because it seems like at times when one thing happens that has an effect on the team.”

Looking ahead to this weekend’s fixture, he continued: “We know what South Africans have brought to this competition. But we’re at home and we would rather big focus on ourselves. We love coming to the Arms Park.

“Our home form is is pretty good. We’re all really excited to get into it Friday and right the wrongs from last Friday.

“The boys get real big buzz from the crowd here at at Arms Park. The intensity and the noise they make gives us a big lift throughout the game,

“Every game is an important one but our home games are definitely something we need to keep on top of as well as trying to obviously put our performances in and get our results away from home as well.”

Cardiff have bagged three tries on each of their previous encounters this season and were frustrated to leave Scotstoun empty-handed last weekend.

The back-line have created opportunities and Evans hopes that will only increase as the campaign progresses with the clinical edge to finish chances also sharpening.

He added: “It’s never gonna happen straight away, everything takes time. I feel like we got off to a pretty good start and Munster was a pretty good performance. 

“We probably could have converted a lot more scores and we were close to getting a bonus point up in Scotland as well through four tries

“So I feel like when we’ve had our chances we’ve been pretty clinical, but I feel like we probably just need to create a little bit more of them and that will come with time and different combinations.”

Tickets for Cardiff Rugby versus Emirates Lions are available now. Call 029 20 302030 or click here to purchase yours today.

Content & Images from – Cardiff Rugby


URC

All You Need To Know | Barbarians Double-Header

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The Munster Men’s and Women’s team will be in action this weekend in a historic double-header against the Barbarians.

Find out all you need to know ahead of the games below.

There will be a minute’s applause for Greig Oliver ahead of the men’s game following his tragic passing in July. Hawick RFC posted a lovely piece on a commemorative event that was recently held at the club here. Read our tribute to Greig here.

Where?

Thomond Park

When?

The women’s game kicks off at 2pm and the men’s game starts at 4.30pm.

Tickets

Tickets are available to purchase here from €20 for adults and €10 for juniors right up until kick off.

The best value tickets are the Family Packs of four tickets for just €40 which include 2 Adults & 2 Juniors tickets.

Broadcast

Live on Access Munster, brought to you by Pinergy – see full details here.

Did you know?

The URC trophy will be on display for photos behind the North Terrace.

The first-ever Barbarians Women’s game was played against Munster at Thomond Park in 2017.

The Munster men’s team have never faced the Barbarians.

Munster News

Ticket & Matchday Info

Access Munster Live Stream

Munster Men’s training gallery

Munster Women’s training gallery

Graham Rowntree Signs New Contract

Teams

All four sides will be named before lunchtime on Friday.

Press Pass

Hear from Munster Women’s Head Coach Niamh Briggs and Men’s Head Coach Graham Rowntree ahead of the games.

URC Tickets

Tickets for all Munster men’s home game for the 2023/24 campaign are available here.

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


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Cardiff announce signing of new fly-half

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Cardiff Rugby have added further depth to their fly-half resources with the signing of former Wales Under-20s star Arwel Robson. 

The 26-year-old arrives from Cornish Pirates where he has spent the last two seasons after leaving Dragons RFC in 2021. 

Robson has already linked up with the first-team squad and is relishing the opportunity that lies ahead at Cardiff Arms Park. 

He said: “I’m incredibly excited to make the move to Cardiff. It’s an honour to be able to play at the Arms Park and I can’t wait to get the chance to run out here for the first time.

“I grew up on the terraces of the Arms Park, in a family of Cardiff season ticket holders and I was a ball boy for years so it is a club that means a huge amount to me and my family. 

“After speaking to Matt about the style of play he wants to utilise, I’m confident it will really suit me and also continue to bring my game on.

“I’m very grateful to everyone at Cornish Pirates for the opportunity and support they gave me in the past few years. 

“I’ve played a lot of rugby down there and feel I am returning to Wales a better player and I am looking forward to continuing my development at the Arms Park.

“Cardiff also have a reputation for developing talent and the progression of players from the academy right through to the senior national team is testament to that. 

“Now I am just looking forward to getting on the training pitch and competing for game-time.”

Robson will fight for a place at fly-half alongside fellow new signing Tinus de Beer, Ben Thomas and academy duo Harrison James and Harri Wilde.

He is the fourth signing this summer, following de Beer, Ciaran Parker and Rhys Litterick, and head coach Matt Sherratt is pleased to add to his fly-half resources. 

Sherratt said: “We are delighted have have signed Arwel for this season.  He has a good skill set, will challenge the line and having regular game time has improved his in game management.  

“He has played a significant amount with Cornish Pirates over the past two seasons which is a sign of a player who was willing to take himself out of his comfort zone to go to a new club and get regular game time.  It shows he is driven.  

“Added to that he has a connection with the region and a point to prove in the Welsh professional game. He gives us a bit more depth at 10 and has slotted in well to training.” 

Content & Images from – Cardiff Rugby


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Spingbok loosehead joins DHL Stormers ranks

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Loosehead prop Lizo Gqoboka has joined the DHL Stormers squad ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The 33-year-old Springbok front row forward has made the move to Cape Town and brings considerable experience with him.

Gqoboka only took up the game at the age of 19 and within two years had already secured his first professional contract. He has accumulated over 150 senior caps since then and made his Springbok debut in 2019.

DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that Gqoboka’s proven track record means he will be ready to hit the ground running when the season gets underway.

“Lizo is an experienced player who would be a valuable asset for any squad in what is an important position.

“He has already settled in well here in the pre-season and we are all looking forward to seeing what he can do when the season gets underway,” he said.

Gqoboka said that having played against the DHL Stormers many times in his career, he is excited about feeling the support of the Faithful.

“This is a great team with some incredible supporters and I can’t wait to run out in the blue and white jersey and give my all.

“My family and I have felt at home right away here, my teammates and the coaches have been so welcoming and I want to repay that when I get the chance to take the field as a DHL Stormer,” he said.

Content & Images from – Stormers Rugby


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