URC
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith has named a 30-man squad for tomorrow night’s pre-season opener
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith has named a 30-man squad for tomorrow night’s pre-season opener against Ayrshire Bulls in Inverness, in a match that doubles as Smith’s first fixture in charge since taking over at Scotstoun this summer.
The team news follows last night’s confirmation of the Bulls as tomorrow night’s opponents at the Caledonian Stadium, following the withdrawal of Worcester Warriors late yesterday afternoon. Tickets and car parking purchased for the original fixture remain valid.
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The show goes on in Inverness ?
We’re delighted to confirm that reigning @Super6Rugby champions @AyrshireBulls will step in to help us fulfill our fixture at Caledonian Stadium this Friday.
Read: https://t.co/REivfimBHx pic.twitter.com/1wDCqfthZJ
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) August 31, 2022
Fresh from being announced as club captain earlier this week, Kyle Steyn will lead out his team for the first time tomorrow night as part of a starting XV containing seven internationals for the fixture, which also serves as part of the centenary celebrations for Highland RFC.
One of those internationals, Simon Berghan, lines up at tight-head, joining Nathan McBeth and Johnny Matthews – last season’s top try-scorer – in the front-row.
Richie Gray is the most experienced Warrior named in Smith’s starting lineup, the 2013 British and Irish Lion partnering Lewis Bean in the engine room.
Thomas Gordon starts at openside, whilst two of the club’s summer signings get their first taste of action in Glasgow colours alongside him in the back-row; Sintu Manjezi starts at blindside following his off-season arrival from the Vodacom Bulls, with Tongan international Sione Vailanu packing down at number eight.
An all-international half-back combination sees George Horne line up at scrum-half, pairing up with Argentinian fly-half Domingo Miotti.
The centre combination sees a brace of former Millbrae men come up against their former side, as Stafford McDowall and Tom Jordan – a standout in the inaugural FOSROC Super6 prior to signing a professional deal with the Warriors – link up in the midfield.
Walter Fifita joins club captain Steyn on the wings, with Cole Forbes completing the starting lineup at full-back.
Smith has named an extensive cohort of replacements blending experienced Warriors with fresh faces, as he looks to cast an eye over his new charges for the first time.
Ryan Wilson and Fraser Brown bring a combined total of over 300 appearances in Glasgow colours to proceedings, more than triple the total of the rest of the replacements combined.
At the other end of the experience spectrum, four of the club’s 2022/23 senior academy intake are included amongst the 30-strong group, with Scotland U20 talents Euan Ferrie, Ben Afshar, Ross McKnight and Andy Stirrat all ready to make an impact as and when called upon.
Joel Hodgson and Lucio Sordoni are both named on the bench after signing short-term deals earlier this summer, as are Cam Jones and Will Hunt; both men usually ply their trade with the Bulls, but have been involved with the Warriors over the off-season.
Second-row duo Alex Samuel and JP du Preez could also make their first outing in a Glasgow shirt, having been named amongst the replacements by Smith and his coaching team.
The bench is completed by Murphy Walker, Jack Dempsey and Sebastian Cancelliere, each of whom will be looking to continue where they left off after impressing in their first season as a Warrior.
Content & Images from – Glasgow Warriors 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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