URC
Hiddleston to make Glasgow Warriors debut
Hiddleston to make Glasgow Warriors debut
Gregor Hiddleston will make his professional debut for Glasgow Warriors at Sandy Park tomorrow afternoon, after the former Scotland U20 hooker was named in the starting XV for this weekend’s Investec Champions Cup clash with Exeter Chiefs.
The 22-year-old – who earned Player of the Match honours in the FOSROC Super Series Final when helping Stirling Wolves to the title – is one of six changes to the team for Glasgow’s first match of 2024, as Franco Smith’s side go in search of a first away win in Devon since 2014.
Oli Kebble and Zander Fagerson pack down either side of Hiddleston in the front-row, the former making his first start in the 2023/24 Investec Champions Cup.
Scott Cummings continues in the second-row, whilst Alex Samuel – Hiddleston’s former captain at Scotland U20 level – returns to the starting lineup after starting in the 12-11 win away to Aviron Bayonnais in round two.
Matt Fagerson is named at openside after recovering from a facial injury sustained against Northampton Saints at the start of December, joining Ally Miller and Henco Venter in the back-row for the trip to Exeter.
Behind the scrum, Duncan Weir comes into the squad to start at fly-half nine years on after coming off the bench in the 2014 victory over Exeter, partnering George Horne in the half-backs.
Sione Tuipulotu captains the side for the fourth match in succession as he lines up at outside centre, Stafford McDowall joining the skipper in midfield after his try-scoring display at Scottish Gas Murrayfield last time out.
An unchanged back-three sees Huw Jones slot in on the wing alongside Kyle Rowe, with Josh McKay completing the starting XV by continuing at full-back.
Euan Ferrie is in line for his first appearance of the 2023/24 campaign after being selected amongst the replacements, the man from East Kilbride covering the back-row in a six-two split of forwards and backs.
Jamie Bhatti rotates to the bench to provide cover in the front-row alongside Scotland colleague George Turner, Lucio Sordoni completing the trio of front-row replacements after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Richie Gray wears the number 19 jersey, whilst Max Williamson continues amongst the replacements after impressing across the month of December.
The backs are covered by Ben Afshar and Tom Jordan, the former set for his first taste of away European rugby after being an unused replacement in Bayonne.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Everyone has come back in well-prepared ahead of this match, and training this week has been competitive with everyone putting their hand up for selection.
“Exeter are a team in excellent form and have started the season strongly – they do not lose many matches at home and we know that there will be an electric atmosphere at Sandy Park tomorrow afternoon.
“We are also excited to see Gregor take to the field for his Glasgow Warriors debut; he is a young player who has worked hard, taken on board feedback from the coaches and his peers, and has earned his opportunity.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, Saturday 13 January, kick-off 1pm. You can watch the match live on ITV, STV and TNT Sports, or follow all the action on our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org
1 Oli Kebble (94)
2 Gregor Hiddleston (0)
3 Zander Fagerson (137)
4 Scott Cummings (114)
5 Alex Samuel (10)
6 Ally Miller (22)
7 Matt Fagerson (100)
8 Henco Venter (7)
9 George Horne (106)
10 Duncan Weir (141)
11 Kyle Rowe (9)
12 Stafford McDowall (67)
13 Sione Tuipulotu (C) (44)
14 Huw Jones (65)
15 Josh McKay (36)
Replacements
16 George Turner (97)
17 Jamie Bhatti (97)
18 Lucio Sordoni (23)
19 Richie Gray (110)
20 Max Williamson (6)
21 Euan Ferrie (9)
22 Ben Afshar (5)
23 Tom Jordan (35)
Unavailable for selection: Fraser Brown (knee), Gregor Brown (knee), Sebastian Cancelliere (neck), Rory Darge (knee), Jack Dempsey (face), Jamie Dobie (ankle), Sintu Manjezi (foot), Nathan McBeth (shoulder), Enrique Pieretto (knee), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Kyle Steyn (ankle), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (knee).
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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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