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Leinster Battle Past Spirited Ospreys

Leinster have made it 12 wins from 12 in the PRO14 with a big performance against a dogged Ospreys side

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(Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Leinster have made it 12 wins in a row in the PRO14 with a 21-13 victory against the Ospreys at the Gnoll tonight.

It extends their winning streak to 18 across all competitions so far this season, but they were made to work for the result by a battling Ospreys side. 

The Ospreys had the better of the game early on and had a chance to take the lead with a penalty but it hit the upright from long-range. 

They were made to pay for that miss just before the quarter of an hour mark as Tommy O’Brien, who was brought on for Conor O’Brien early on, was put over after some wonderful quick passing from the Leinster players. Ciaran Frawley slotted over the conversion from the right-hand side of the pitch to make it 7-0. 

Ospreys fly-half Luke Price missed another penalty a few minutes later, but it was third time lucky for the hosts as he struck over a penalty heading into the final minute of the half. 

However, it got better for the home side seconds later as Leinster attempted an attack near the halfway-line only to misplace the pass allowing winger Luke Morgan to pick up the ball and race in for a try. Price added the extras to leave the Ospreys 10-7 in front come the half-time whistle as they looked to cause a major upset. 

Leinster came flying out of the blocks in the second period and camped in the Osprey’s 22 for the opening 10 minutes of the half, winning penalty after penalty, taking the scrum option nearly every time. 

Their hard work was rewarded around the 50 minute mark as Josh Murphy eventually barrelled over the line from close-range. Frawley knocked over the conversion from beside the posts to put them back in front. 

The Ospreys came back strong following that score and after some good play in the Leinster half they got to within a point of the away side as Price kicked a simple penalty from in front of the posts to make it 14-13 with just under 20 minutes to go. 

Ospreys couldn’t cope with the Leinster pressure that was to come and conceded several penalties, but Leinster had to wait until the final five minutes to make it count. 

With five minutes left the referee lost his patience with the hosts and sent replacement hooker Sam Perry to the sin-bin. 

From the resulting scrum the boys in blue got over for their third try of the game with Cian Kelleher darting over down the right-wing. Harry Byrne was perfect from the tee to extend their lead. 

Next up for the Ospreys is a trip to Italy where they will face Zebre next Friday, while Leinster will hope to continue their winning run across all competitions when they host the Glasgow Warriors at the same time.  

Player Ratings

Starting XV: 

Hugo Keenan (7), Cian Kelleher (7), Jimmy O’Brien (7), Conor O’Brien (N/A), James Lowe (8), Ciaran Frawley (8), Jamison Gibson-Park (8); Peter Dooley (9), James Tracy (6), Michael Bent (8), Ross Molony (7), Scott Fardy (7), Josh Murphy (8), Scott Penny (7), Rhys Ruddock (7)

Replacements (7)


URC

Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Cardiff At Thomond

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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


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URC

Squad Update | Preparations Continue For Ospreys

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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


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URC

British & Irish Lion to join Glasgow Warriors

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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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