URC
Lee-Lo determined to repay Blue and Black faithful
Rey Lee-Lo is determined to repay the faith of the Cardiff Arms Park crowd as the Blue and Blacks host the Scarlets this Saturday (17:15).
Cardiff, who lead the way in the BKT United Rugby Championship Welsh Shield, take on the Llanelli-club just six days after slipping to a slender defeat to the Ospreys.
12,125 supporters packed into the iconic ground on New Year’s Day and another bumper crowd is expected for the visit of Scarlets.
Lee-Lo, who is bearing down on 150 appearances for the club, was bitterly disappointed to let the Ospreys encounter slip away but he is now eyeing the shot at redemption on Saturday.
He said: “We can’t take anything away from the Ospreys, they are a class team, especially their forward pack. The weather hurt us, it was wet and cold, which doesn’t suit our game – I think it’s the first time ever I’ve had to change my kit at half-time!
“They are a good team but we just have to crack on and we have another game this week. It’s another derby, the Scarlets so it’s a big one again for us. We owe our family, friends and fans after last week’s performance so I’m looking forward to it.
“They always tend to be close games, they have some very good players, world class players so it should be a really good game.
“It’s always special to play at the Arms Park. It’s probably one of the best stadiums out there because you are so close to the pitch and you can hear everything – we owe that crowd and ourselves one this week against Scarlets.”
Lee-Lo has always enjoyed playing against the Scarlets, it is a game that is usually high-scoring and entertaining and more often than not the Samoan centre has been in the thick of it.
He is enjoying a rich vein of form this season, and continues to add to his reputation as one of the most influential and consistent players in the URC despite his age.
Cardiff’s young centres are keeping him on his toes but he also has the added inspiration of a newborn son, who continues to drive him on.
He added: “It’s been good this year. It’s more a case of looking after my body, I have been in the game so long now that i’ve got to know my body and what I need to do to make sure I’m ready to go on a Saturday and can help the boys.
“The young boys around the camp are also putting pressure on us old heads to crack on. We try to help them at the same time so it’s good at the moment.
“It’s just being able to relax before the game and pre-game, I normally eat very strictly healthy but I’ve tried to chill out a little bit and to have a bit more fun. Having the kids in the house also helps take my mind off rugby and then when it comes to the game, like all the boys here, you play for your family and the fans.
“I’ve just had a newborn son as well so that pushes me on even more.”
And what about his son’s name? RJ Isiah Ulisi Wyn Lee-Lo.
“His name is RJ (Rey Junior) after me, Isiah, which is my nephew back home who passed away a few months ago, then Ulisi after Willis and my daughter gave him a third Welsh middle-name, Wyn. So it’s quite a long name!
“Being with Willis from back home and then here, it was a no brainer for me. He’s a close friend, pretty much a brother to me and his family are family to me.”
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Content & Images from – Cardiff 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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