URC
Leinster name Co-Captains for 23/34 season
Leinster Rugby Head Coach, Leo Cullen, has this morning confirmed that Garry Ringrose and James Ryan have been announced as Leinster Rugby co-captains for the BKT United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup season ahead.
Having returned to Leinster training earlier this week the pair were announced by Cullen to the squad at their base in UCD and they will take over the mantle from retiring Leinster and Ireland captain, Johnny Sexton.
Speaking to leinsterrugby.ie this morning, Cullen said, “We are delighted to announce James and Garry as Leinster’s Co-Captains for season 23/24.
“They have both been key figures for Leinster Rugby in recent times and have both led the team incredibly well at different points.
“They have shown a deep understanding of what it means to represent Leinster on and off the field and we believe their joint captaincy will inspire the squad and help drive us to new heights.”
Ringrose made his Leinster Rugby debut in September 2015 against Cardiff Blues on the right wing in a 23-15 win before making his Irish debut just over a year later against Canada in Aviva Stadium.
Since those debut days he has won four PRO14 titles and a Champions Cup with Leinster and two Six Nations titles with Ireland. He has captained Leinster before and led the side in the 2020 PRO14 Final against Ulster which Leinster won 27-5.
Ryan has also captained Leinster before this announcement and most recently led the team out at the Champions Cup Final in Dublin in 2023. He has also captained Ireland as recently as the 2023 Six Nations.
He made his Leinster debut in September 2017 against the Dragons, having already made his full Ireland debut on the 2017 summer tour against the USA. He would finish out his debut season as a double-winner with Leinster, having won the PRO14 and the Champions Cup titles, and as a Grand Slam winner with Ireland.
Both players were involved in the 2019 and the 2023 Ireland squads at the Rugby World Cup and returned to Leinster Rugby training this week ahead of the Round 4 game against Dragons in the BKT United Rugby Championship this weekend.
Garry Ringrose – Leinster Cap #1237:
DOB: 26 January 1995
Height: 6’ 2
Weight: 95.9kgs
Position: Centre
Ireland Caps: 57
Ireland Points: 77
Leinster Rugby Caps: 116
Leinster Rugby Points: 198
James Ryan – Leinster Cap #1259:
DOB: 24 July 1996
Height: 6’ 7
Weight: 115kgs
Position: Lock
Ireland Caps: 59
Ireland Points: 25
Leinster Rugby Caps: 73
Leinster Rugby Points: 20
Images & Content from Leinster 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.”
Tags
Spread the word
Related news
Awards 2023/24 sponsored by The Malcolm Group
Tennent’s Best Seat in the House
What’s On | Cardiff Rugby
Stafford McDowall selected for Ireland clash
Easter Open Training | Monday 1 April
Five Warriors players included in U20s Scotland clash against Ireland
Mann signs new contract with Glasgow Warriors
Horne to make first Guinness Six Nations start
Hart named as co-captain for Scotland U20
Afshar signs first professional contract with Glasgow Warriors
Content & Images from – Glasgow Rugby
Munster Rugby Announce Contract Deals For Murray, Daly & Gleeson
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Cardiff At Thomond
