URC
Glasgow v Ulster Pre-Season Friendly | Roddy Grant Interview
Ahead of our friendly against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium, we chatted to Forwards Coach, Roddy Grant, about how the squad is feeling following a win over Exeter Chiefs at Kingspan Stadium last weekend, as well as what he’s expecting this Friday, and beyond into the new season.
The Glasgow v Ulster pre-season fixture will be streamed exclusively on the new Ulster Rugby Recast channel. To follow, Ulster Rugby’s Recast channel, join Recast for free by visiting here.
What were your thoughts on the win over Exeter Chiefs at home last week?
It was pleasing. Results don’t really matter in a pre-season game, but it’s always great to get a win against a really good team like Exeter. They’re obviously missing some guys, but then so are we. We had some areas that didn’t go as well as expected, and that can be a bit frustrating, including some easy decision-making, skill areas, and game management, probably more in the second half, after a really good first forty minutes. But it was really good to get thirty guys out playing to get game time against a strong team.
How different a proposition will Glasgow Warriors be?
Pre-season games are quite tricky in a sense in that it’ll be about peaking for next week for our URC opener against Connacht. There are things, by design, that we won’t have done as much of last week, and it’ll be about using this game for the likes of game fitness. We haven’t previewed Glasgow in the same way we would for Connacht. It’s more about what we do, rather than them. We’ll try a couple of different things ahead of the new season – game plans, skills, techniques, and moves in preparation. They’ve a good team, so it’ll be great to have another tough game after Exeter ahead of the start of the season. I’m looking forward to it.
How important is the result in this second pre-season game in terms of going into the new BKT United Rugby Championship?
I’d say it’s more about performance. If you win it carries a bit of feeling and emotion, but I would say it’s more performance. As a team, in general, we’ve proven that if we play how we’ve proven we can play then probably we will win nine times out of ten. Speaking to you now, before the game, I’d say, we want a good performance.
A lot of the forwards were involved in International duty this summer. How does this change pre-season?
It doesn’t change it much to be honest. It allows more guys to get time in the saddle, other guys to lead more, and younger guys, like Harry Sheridan, to train more, as well as the wider Academy guys. The ripple effect is massive. If you take the locks who were with Ireland, this pre-season it has allowed other guys like Frank Bradshaw Ryan, who has just signed with us, to come in, as well as Joe Hopes, and they then get a shot at training when those guys are away. This time of the year, it’s a great thing that we’ve had so many guys away on International duty, especially given the guys were able to get a win on the New Zealand tour.
Content & Images from – Ulster Rugby
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
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
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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