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Five Internationals Return for Munster

Published

6 years ago

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Photo by Andrew Surma/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Five Ireland players are back in the Munster team that is set to face the Southern Kings at Irish Independent Park on Friday night.

The team sees a total of seven changes to the one that defeated the Dragons last time out.

Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Niall Scannell, John Ryan and Billy Holland are all in the starting XV after their time away on international duty.

In the front-row Jeremy Loughman is joined by the returning duo of Scannell and Ryan, while Holland partners Jean Kleyn in the second-row.

The back-row has another change as Chris Cloete has recovered from a neck injury to make his first appearance since December. He will have Fineen Wycherley and Arno Botha alongside him to make up the pack.

Neil Cronin starts at scrum-half, with captain Tyler Bleyendaal at 10.

Last weekend’s stand-in centre for Ireland, Chris Farrell comes back to the team at 13 with Rory Scannell at 12.

There is a fierce looking back three on display with Darren Sweetnam and Andrew Conway on the wings, with Mike Healey at full-back.

JJ Hanrahan is back among the subs after time out with a hip injury sustained last month and is joined by academy player Gavin Coombes.

Munster coach Felix Jones has warned his team of the threat that the Kings can pose even if they are bottom of Conference B.

“They have a huge amount of speed in their back three in particular. They are one of the highest scoring teams from turnovers, so if you kick loosely or you don’t look after the ball well enough, they can punish you,” he said.

On the other side Kings captain JC Astle is expecting a tough challenge against the Conference A leaders.

“Munster is a very clinical side and are on top of Conference A, so we are expecting a hard match with clinical, good players who know how to do their job,” he said.

In the only previous meeting of the two the Irish province ran out 39-22 winners.

Munster will be looking to continue their fine form and stay top of Conference A with another win but will have to be aware as the high scoring Kings make their first trip to the Irish province.


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Tuipulotu to debut against Leinster

Published

3 hours ago

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September 20, 2024

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The abrasive midfielder will earn his club debut having made a summer move from NSW Waratahs, with fellow summer recruits Paul Hill (tighthead) and Ross Thompson (fly-half) also set to start against the Irishmen.

Head Coach Sean Everitt’s first selection of the season also sees Ben Muncaster complete his injury return, to start at number eight tomorrow night.

On the selection, Everitt said: “It’s exciting to be back In BKT URC action this week, and matches don’t get much tougher in this league than facing Leinster.

“We know the challenge they will bring and it’s up to us to rise to that. We can’t wait to get the season started in front of a packed-out Hive Stadium for round one.”

Everitt has named the same back-three that started last Friday’s Scottish Building Society pre-season match against Gloucester, with Wes Goosen at full-back flanked by Scotland internationalists Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe on the wings.

Tuipulotu is partnered by Matt Currie in the centres, fresh from earning his first Scotland caps during the recent summer test window, while Ali Price is reunitedwith former Glasgow teammate Thompson in the halves.

England internationalist Hill is joined in the front row by Scotland pair Pierre Schoeman (loosehead) and Dave Cherry (hooker), who made his debut against Leinster in 2018.

Grant Gilchrist leads the side from lock having been named as club co-captain for his 14th professional season, with Marshall Sykes again accompanying him in the second-row.

Muncaster’s impressive turn against Gloucester sees him rewarded with a starting berth, playing alongside club centurions Jamie Ritchie (blindside) and Hamish Watson (openside) in the back-row.

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Leinster at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 20 September (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports

 15. Wes Goosen (31)

14. Darcy Graham (64)
13. Mosese Tuipulotu*
12. Matt Currie (40)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (92)

10. Ross Thompson*
9. Ali Price (17)

1. Pierre Schoeman (115)
2. Dave Cherry (93)
3. Paul Hill*
4. Marshall Sykes (62)
5. Grant Gilchrist (205) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (114)
7. Hamish Watson (159)
8. Ben Muncaster (30)

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman (20)
17. Boan Venter (66)
18. D’arcy Rae (5)
19. Jamie Hodgson (61)
20. Magnus Bradbury (113)
21. Ben Vellacott (61)
22. Ben Healy (23)
23. Emiliano Boffelli (40)

 *Edinburgh Rugby debut

Unavailable: Luke Crosbie (neck), Nathan Sweeney (knee), James Lang (quad), Harry Paterson (foot/wound), Glen Young (pec), Sam Skinner (knee), Angus Williams (hamstring), Robin Hislop (knee)

Content & Images from – Edinburgh Rugby


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Eight debutants named in Cardiff squad for Zebre Parma

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4 hours ago

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September 20, 2024

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Content & Images from – Cardiff Rugby


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Harry Sheridan commits future to Ulster Rugby

Published

2 days ago

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September 18, 2024

By

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


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