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Glasgow destroy Cardiff with 8 try victory

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Eight tries and a half-century of points saw Glasgow Warriors open their BKT United Rugby Championship account in style, earning a 52-24 victory over Cardiff at Scotstoun this evening.

Player of the Match George Horne grabbed 17 points, with a brace from Fraser Brown, a try apiece from Zander and Matt Fagerson and scores from Cole Forbes, Thomas Gordon and Stafford McDowall accounting for the scoreline.

Straight from the opening kick-off, it was evident that this was a Glasgow Warriors team with one objective in mind. An industrious opening spell from Scott Cummings saw the second-rower heavily involved at the set-piece and in the loose, whilst the speed of thought and foot from Horne kept the Cardiff defence on their toes.

However, it would be the visitors who would open the scoring with a quarter of an hour on the clock, somewhat against the run of play. After a lengthy stoppage due to an ankle injury to Rory Darge that saw the flanker head to hospital for treatment, the Welshmen caught their hosts cold. Max Llewellyn’s break through the middle took Cardiff into the Glasgow 22, before a looping pass from Jarrod Evans put Josh Adams over in the corner. Evans added the conversion, and Cardiff led 7-0.

Glasgow’s response was immediate, and showcased what was to come from Franco Smith’s men. A superb offload from Tom Jordan put Cole Forbes through a gap, who in turn sent Sebastian Cancelliere racing clear. Only an illegal intervention from Thomas Young could prevent the Warriors from scoring, earning the openside a yellow card from referee Chris Busby.

It took the Warriors precisely 45 seconds to make the most of their numerical advantage, and they did it in textbook fashion. Fraser Brown’s lineout was pinpoint accurate to Cummings, before Brown himself burrowed over the line from the rolling maul. Horne converted, and the scores were tied.

Straight from the restart, Smith’s men struck for what could already be a try of the season contender. Identifying the space, Stafford McDowall sent Sione Tuipulotu through a gap, who in turn timed his pass to perfection to send Cancelliere sprinting clear. The Argentinian drew the last man before popping the ball to Forbes, with the full-back outpacing the cover defence to touch down. Horne’s conversion attempt was true, and the Warrior Nation were in full voice.

The noise continued to grow moments later, as the home side crossed for their third try in a nine-minute spell. A superbly executed 50-22 from Tuipulotu gave the Warriors field position, before Zander Fagerson was stopped just inches short of the line. It was left to younger brother Matt to apply the finishing touch, picking up and going down the blindside to barge over the whitewash. A third conversion from Horne took the score to 21-7 after half an hour, and Scotstoun was rocking.

Even a yellow card to Tom Jordan on his first home start couldn’t puncture the home side’s momentum, as Cummings and Kyle Steyn combined to drive the visitors fully 20 metres backwards in a superb defensive shift.

A penalty from Evans was all that Cardiff could muster during the sin bin period, and it would be Glasgow that would finish the half on the front foot. A half-break from Dempsey and a perfectly-timed offload to Horne sent the scrum-half scampering clear, chipping ahead to pin Cardiff on their own try-line. Cummings’ chargedown forced a five-metre scrum in his side’s favour, and after Tuipulotu and Richie Gray went close, Horne himself would snipe over for the classic scrum-half score. Converting his own try for good measure, the Warriors headed back to the changing rooms with a 28-10 lead at the interval.

Content & Images from – Glasgow Warriors 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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URC

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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