URC
Leinster Maintain Perfect Start with Warriors Scalp
Leinster have made it seven wins from seven with another impressive performance away to Glasgow Warriors
Leinster have continued their perfect start to the season with a 23-10 win over Glasgow Warriors at the Scotstoun Stadium last night.
Two tries from Cian Kelleher, along with a further 13-points from the boot of in-form Ross Byrne helped the Irish province past an early onslaught from the home side, who scored two tries through Ruaridh Jackson.
Things couldn’t have started much better for the Scots as Leinster full-back Hugo Keenan was sent to the sin-bin for impeding Huw Jones during a try-scoring situation four minutes into the game.
A man up and Glasgow made no mistake of punishing the boys in blue as they struck from the resulting penalty. A swift move from a line-out allowing Peter Horne to swing the ball out to Jackson, who dotted down in the corner. Horne couldn’t provide the extras, but it was a positive opening six minutes for the hosts.
Minutes later and Horne had the chance to add three-points to the scoreboard, but was again missing his kicking radar with the penalty.
That was not the case however for Byrne, who stepped up just before the quarter-hour mark to get Leinster up and running with a penalty kick.
The game became filled with errors following that score, but it was Glasgow who extended their lead as Sam Johnson broke through the defence put Jackson through on the left-hand side for his second of the night. Horne failed from the tee once more to leave it at 10-3 after 25 minutes.
Horne’s inaccuracy proved costly to the home side as Leinster came roaring back, showing some great attacking play as youngster Conor O’Brien made a break of his own before sending a lovely pass to Kelleher who went over for the try. Byrne slotted the conversion to make it an even game just after the half hour mark.
Three minutes later and Leinster went in front as some more good attacking play allowed Kelleher to notch his team’s and his own second try of the game, which Byrne again converted to leave it at 17-10 come the interval.
After the break Leinster never looked like giving up their lead and pushed further in front just before the clock struck 60 minutes as Byrne knocked over a penalty.
The pressure that Leinster were putting on the Warriors forced errors from the hosts and with little under 10 minutes remaining Byrne all but ensured the win with another perfect penalty.
Glasgow rallied on to the end and thought they had got over through Jackson once more only for the TMO to rule out the try and his hat-trick. They continued to push for a score that would at least hand them a losing bonus-point, but the away side held strong to record a 23-10 win, which is their first away to the Warriors in seven years.
The victory makes it seven wins from seven in the PRO14 for Leinster at the start of the season and leaves them eight points clear of Ulster, who are in second-place in Conference A. While Glasgow fall further behind the play-off spots and are now six-points off third-placed Cheetahs in the conference.
Next up for the Scottish side is a double-header in the Champions Cup against La Rochelle, with the away fixture next Saturday. While Leinster will look to make it three wins from three on the European stage when they head to Northampton on the same day.
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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