URC
Five changes for Ulster as McInally set for capital farewell
Tighthead prop Luan de Bruin gets the nod up front while lock Glen Young comes into the pack in place of Marshall Sykes who misses out through injury.
In the backline, Cammy Hutchison starts at inside centre in his final appearance for the club. Henry Pyrgos – also featuring in his last fixture for Edinburgh – replaces Ben Vellacott at scrum-half, while Scotland and British & Irish Lions winger Duhan van der Merwe comes in for the injured Damien Hoyland.
The match will also be Stuart McInally’s swansong as it was yesterday announced the club centurion will retire from rugby when his contract finishes this November.
The hometown hooker – who is currently sixth on the club’s all-time appearance list – is named among the replacements and is in line to make his 177th and final appearance for his boyhood club.
Ahead of the clash in Belfast, Head Coach Mike Blair said: “We were really pleased with last weekend’s performance against Ospreys. Our physicality and decision-making was spot on from the first whistle – we’ll need that level of focus once again tomorrow night.
“Ulster are a team in form, who are particularly confident at home. It’s vital we match their physicality while putting down a marker in terms of the way we want to play, which is with freedom, while making smart decisions around the way we attack and defend.
“It will be a special occasion for the guys playing their last game for the club. It adds an extra level of motivation for our squad to put in a performance that properly recognises what those guys have all achieved here.”
Argentine playmaker Emiliano Boffelli continues at full-back as Scotland duo Darcy Graham – twice a try-scorer against Ospreys – and Van der Merwe line up on the wings.
James Lang shifts to 13 with Hutchison named at inside-centre. Pyrgos is paired with stand-off Blair Kinghorn at half-back.
Hooker Dave Cherry – who also crossed the whitewash last weekend – packs down alongside Pierre Schoeman and Luan de Bruin up front as locks Young and Sam Skinner complete the tight-five.
An unchanged back-row sees number 8 Viliame Mata anchor a back-row featuring Scotland pairing Jamie Ritchie and Hamish Watson.
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Ulster at Kingspan Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 21 April (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Viaplay.
15. Emiliano Boffelli (30)
14. Darcy Graham (59)
13. James Lang (38)
12. Cammy Hutchison (19)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (74)
10. Blair Kinghorn (133)
9. Henry Pyrgos (83)
1. Pierre Schoeman (97)
2. Dave Cherry (70)
3. Luan de Bruin (21)
4. Glen Young (21)
5. Sam Skinner (13)
6. Jamie Ritchie (97) CAPTAIN
7. Hamish Watson (139)
8. Viliame Mata (115)
Replacements
16. Stuart McInally (176)
17. Boan Venter (45)
18. WP Nel (187)
19. Pierce Phillips (14)
20. Connor Boyle (31)
21. Ben Vellacott (38)
22. Mark Bennett (87)
23. Nathan Sweeney (1)
Unavailable: Luke Crosbie, Chris Dean, Grant Gilchrist, Wes Goosen, Nick Haining, Damien Hoyland, Jamie Hodgson, Damien Hoyland, Henry Immelman, Ben Muncaster, Harry Paterson, Marshall Sykes.
Content & Images from – Edinburgh Rugby
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
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
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
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
Kolisi honoured to lead the Boks for the 50th time
All You Need To Know | Barbarians Double-Header
